Earliest meeting: Wednesday 24th October 1853
Final meeting: Tuesday 25th March 1879
The village of Baschurch lies close to the Welsh border and in an earlier time was known by the Welsh name of Eglwyssau Bassa which means Churches of Bassa. The ‘County History of Shropshire’ recorded that a steeplechase meeting first took place in Baschurch in October 1853 when the principal race was the Walford Manor Handicap Chase. The meetings were organised by Sir William W Wynn’s Hunt Group and often had races confined to members associated with the Shropshire or North Staffs Foxhounds Groups. By 1870 the meeting was very popular and received a boost when the Great Western Railway put on Special Excursion trains from Shrewsbury. Entries were made at the Boreatton Arms Hotel where an Ordinary was served after racing. At the meeting on Tuesday 2nd April 1878 the Red Coat Open Chase over 3 miles went to Mr R Clarke’s Katerfelto. Within a year the final meeting was held on Tuesday 25th March 1879. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Patrons |
Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Sir Vincent Corbet |
| Principal races |
Walford Manor Handicap Chase, Marton Hall Steeplechase |
Tuesday 2nd April 1878
Red Coat Open Chase over 3 miles
1. Katerfelto, brown gelding owned by Mr R Clarke
2. Clayton, bay gelding owned by Mr C R Bulkeley
3. May Boy, chestnut gelding owned by Mr Harold Lee
Betting: Evens Katerfelto, 4/1 Clayton, 5/1 May Boy |
| Course today |
In fields within walking distance of the village and station. |
| 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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| Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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