Vincent Hinde Collection

Cardiff Racecourse

Earliest meeting: Wednesday 31st July 1782
Final meeting: Thursday 27th April 1939
The Welsh capital city of Cardiff first recorded a three day race meeting from Wednesday 31st July to Friday 2nd August 1782 at Heath Farm, which was believed to be its first racecourse, when the Mansel-Talbot Cup over 2 miles went to Mr Pritchard’s Perdita. However, further information has been found of an earlier racecourse in the 1720s, albeit a point-to-point course, details of which can be found below. The Heath Farm meetings proved popular and were supported by the Cardiff Corporation who donated £20 to the racing fund each year. James Whyte, in his ‘History of the British Turf’ recorded the card in July 1839 consisted of the Glamorganshire Stakes, the Coronation Stakes and the Cardiff Stakes, all over 2 miles. The Ely Racecourse, an excellent viewing course, perfectly flat and extending to just a mile, was used for the first time on Wednesday 30th May 1855. Flat racing came to an end on Wednesday 3rd May 1876 and racing lapsed in the town for eight years. However, racing was revived on Wednesday 28th April 1886 when the public’s interest was rekindled. The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup, over 4 miles and 24 fences, is now contested at the annual Cheltenham Festival in March, but in 1889 it was held at Cardiff when won by Nap, ridden by Charles Thompson. In 1895 the Ely course received a tremendous boost when they played host to the Welsh Grand National for the first time, with Deerstalker running out the winner. By 1921 they were also rewarded with the Welsh Champion Hurdle and were the undoubted premier track in Wales. Tragedy struck in 1937 when fire gutted both main stands, and although racing did continue for two years after the event, in reality the course never did fully recover. The final meeting took place on Thursday 27th April 1939 when Lester Piggott’s father Keith rode Grasshopper to victory.