Earliest meeting: Friday 3rd March 1865
Final meeting: Friday 3rd March 1865
The Scottish Borders village of St Boswell’s lies on the south side of the River Tweed. The village has historical importance because it lies on the route of St Cuthbert’s Way, a footpath which links Melrose Abbey, just 8 kilometres north-west of the village, with Lindisfarne. The village takes its name from a former Abbot of Melrose Abbey, Saint Boisil. The village holds an annual horse fair which many gypsies attend, but back in the middle of the 19th century it held its own race meeting on Friday 3rd March 1865. It was the result of much planning and cooperation between the East Lothian, Earl of Weymss and Duke of Buccleuch Hunt Groups and survived postponements in January and February due to inclement weather. The 3 mile course was on Holydean Farm, near Bowden, owned by Mr Baillik. The opening Hunt Stakes over 2 miles was won by Mr Smith’s Miss Green who defeated Ragman and Agnes. The concluding Consolation Stakes went to Mr Kay’s Abbotsford. Despite the obvious success of the meeting, it was not repeated at a future date.

Friday 3rd March 1865
Border Counties Stakes over 3 miles
1. Johnny Cope, aged horse owned by Mr H Rae
2. Johnny Fan, aged horse owned by Mr C Henderson
3. Arthur, aged horse owned by Mr Leithead

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

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