Earliest Meeting: Friday 18th July 1617
Final Meeting: Friday 18th July 1617
The Lancashire village of Whalley is the location for Whalley Abbey, a former Cistercian abbey first inhabited by monks in 1296 who had relocated from Stanlow Abbey which was situated on the River Mersey. That Abbey had been particularly unfortunate having been hit by floods in 1279, a gale in 1287 and a devastating fire in 1289. About two and a half centuries later the Abbey was in private hands having been sold to John Braddyll, from Brockhall, and Richard Assheton, from Lever, in 1553. At some stage the pair divided the spoils, with Richard Assheton choosing the monastery site and its associated buildings. Races were held in the grounds of Whalley Abbey in the early years of the 17th century when, on Friday 18th July 1617, a Match for 20 pieces of silver was contested between Nicholas Assheton's dun gelding and Sir Richard's dun nag, although it is not clear who the victor was. |
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 |
