Earliest meeting: Wednesday 17th March 1824
Final meeting:Wednesday 17th March 1824
The county Galway village of Abbeyknockmoy is steeped in history, being the site of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1190 by the King of Connacht, although only the ruins remain today. In the same parish is Brooklodge, whose church was founded in 1834 by Franciscan brothers on 16 acres of land donated by Martin J Blake. They built a monastery dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, with additional buildings to cater for up to 200 children. Ten years before they arrived in the hamlet ‘Brook Lodge’ held a race meeting on St Patrick’s day in 1824 when the main sweepstake, surprisingly for yearling fillies, was won by Mr Kirwan’s Souvenir, although Mr Martin Blake’s Coldstream filly was second. Although there are no further records in the Racing Calendar of other racing in the hamlet, given the race took place on the yearling course does imply there were other courses. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 4 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr Martin Blake, Lord Sligo |
| Principal Races |
Brook Lodge Sweepstake for yearling fillies |
Wednesday 17th March 1824
Brook Lodge 10 Guineas Sweepstake for yearlings
1. Souvenir filly, owned by Mr Kirwan
2. Coldstream filly, owned by Mr Blake
3. Lace, bay filly owned by Lord Sligo |
| The final meeting took place on Wednesday 17th March 1824. |
| Course today |
On the yearling course on Mr Blake’s estate in the hamlet. |
| 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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