Earliest meeting: Thursday 5th August 1824
Final meeting: Wednesday 4th August 1841
The Pottery Races first took place on a mile round course in the grounds of Etruria in Staffordshire on Thursday 5th August and Friday 6th August 1824. The organisers were keen to ensure that their opening fixture did not clash with the Newcastle under Lyme races which were held at Knutton Heath, barely two miles from Etruria. However, they were equally keen for them to coincide with Stoke Potteries Wakes week to maximise the potential for a large crowd. The first Pottery Plate was won by the fanatical racing family of Myttons with Oswestry, Lord Sligo having to be content with third place on Valve. Two day meetings continued annually and, as expected, Plates were plentiful. At the meeting on Tuesday 6th August 1833 the Pottery Plate was won by Mr Mott’s Gazelle; the Davenport Plate by Lady Bee, and the Workman’s Plate by Lady Moore Carew. The final meeting took place on Wednesday 4th August 1841 after which Lord Granville leased the land to mine for minerals, creating the famous Racecourse Pit. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Alderman Copeland (who owned the Spode works), The Davenport Family, The Wedgwood Family, Lord Sligo, Sir T Stanley, Sir W Wynn |
| Principal Races |
The Cavalry Stakes, The Pottery Plate, Potteries Stewards Plate, Davenport Purse, Workman's Plate, Champagne Stakes |
Thursday 5th August to Friday 6th August 1824 |
The Pottery Plate over 2 miles and a furlong
1. Oswestry owned by Mrs Mytton
2. Belmont owned by Mr Peach
3. Valve owned by Lord Sligo
Potteries Maiden Plate over 2 miles and a furlong
1. Unnamed colt by Cato owned by Mr Haynes
2. Unnamed filly by Blacklock owned by Sir W Wynn |
Tuesday 6th to Wednesday 7th August 1833 |
The Pottery Plate over 2 miles
1. Gazelle owned by Mr Mott
2. Pluralist owned by Mr Palin
3. Sarah owned by Mr Ogden
The Davenport £50 Purse over 2 miles
1. Lady Bee owned by Mr Lucas
2. Ratcatcher owned by Mr Nanney
3. Sarah owned by Mr Ogden
The Workman’s Plate over 2 miles
1. Lady Moore Carew owned by Mr Alanson
2. Gazelle owned by Mr Mott
3. Lady Bee owned by Mr Lucas |
The final meeting took place on Wednesday 4th August 1841 after which Lord Granville leased the land to mine for minerals, creating the Racecourse Pit |
| Course today |
In the grounds of Etruria. |
| If you have photos, postcards, racecards. badges, newspaper cuttings or book references about the old course, or can provide a photo of how the ground on which the old racecourse stood looks today, then email johnwslusar@gmail.com |
Much of the information about this course has been found using internet research and is in the public domain. However, useful research sources have been:-
Northern Turf History Volumes 1-4 by J.Fairfax-Blakeborough
The Sporting Magazine
A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt first published in 1996 ISBN 0 900599 89 8
Racing Calendars which were first published in 1727 |
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ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3
652 pages
774 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0
352 pages
400 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7
180 pages
140 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4
264 pages
235 former courses |
| Copies of the above books are only available by emailing johnwslusar@gmail.com stating your requirements, method of payment (cheque payable to W.Slusar) or Bank transfer, and the address where the book(s) should be sent. |
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