Earliest meeting: Tuesday 24th April 1832
Final meeting: Friday 21st September 1906
The county Tipperary town of Templemore is in the north of the county and today has a population of approximately 2000. It was significantly smaller in the 19th century when it held its own race meetings, although its population was boosted by the barracks of a local Garrison. Although minor meetings took place intermittently before the 1830s, the first racing of note was held on Tuesday 24th April 1832 in the grounds of the Eastwood mansion owned by John Lenegan MP. The meeting celebrated the work of the local 74th regiment and the feature race was won by Major Grabbe’s Lady Clare who beat Matilda and Erato. Garrison meetings continued for at least four more years, with a special one taking place on Friday 3rd April 1835. The Garrison Cup was contested over a mile with four 4 foot walls, but required 4 heats before Lieut. Fosbrook claimed the prize with Kate. By 1856 the local MP John Lenegan, and the local JP James Mason had organised a meeting to reward over 1300 local members. Although the races went well and were enjoyed by all, the day ended with a riot between the military and civilians. Despite this, a Garrison meeting was held on Monday 28th April 1862 when the principal Town and Garrison Plate was won by Mr Cormack’s Dr McCarthy, beating the well supported Palermo and the delightfully named The Wonderful Beauty. Meetings continued on an irregular basis until the early part of the 20th century. The final meeting took place on Friday 21st September 1906. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 4 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
John Lenegan (MP), James Mason (JP), Captain Corfield |
| Principal Races |
Town and Garrison Plate, Templemore Stakes |
Monday 28th April 1862
Town & Garrison Plate over 1 ½ miles
1. Dr McCarthy, 6 year old owned by Mr Cormack
2. Palermo, 5 year old owned by Mr O’Meara
3. The Wonderful Beauty, 5 year old owned by Mr Offey Bennett |
| The final meeting took place on Friday 21st September 1906. |
| Course today |
Initially in the grounds of Eastwood Estate. |
| 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:-
London Illustrated News
Racing Illustrated 1895-1899
The Sporting & Dramatic Illustrated
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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