Down_Royal_1968.JPG (13186 bytes) DOWN ROYAL RACECOURSE Down Royal 2008.JPG (9593 bytes)
Down Royal Racecourse was granted the Royal Charter by James II in 1684. In 1685 the Down Royal Corporation of Horsebreeders was formed with the main purpose of promoting horse breeding in the County of Down. There is evidence of a 3 mile course being established around this time at Down Royal.
Down_Royal_1989.JPG (12362 bytes) The present Down Royal course, which is based at Maze, was established around 1700. See the unusual badge scan from Phil Pead at the bottom of this page. Down_Royal_1994.JPG (11902 bytes)
A significant claim to fame for Down Royal is that one of the 3 important stallions, The Byerley Turk, actually competed at the course.
Down_royal_1997.JPG (18416 bytes) There have been a number of Royal visitors to the course throughout history, including King George II in 1750 and some 200 years later Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Down_Royal_2002.JPG (17438 bytes)

If you have badges, racecards, pictures of the racecourse or further details about the course, including your memories, then email johnslusar@fsmail.net