Earliest meeting: Monday 22nd April 1895
Final meeting: Monday 2nd April 1906
The small Monmouthshire town of Usk, standing on the River Usk some 10 miles north east of Newport, first held races on Monday 22nd April 1895 and continued for the next 11 years. There had been races on the course prior to this date, although they were under the rules of Pony and Galloway racing. The mile and a half, left-handed course was described as naturally formed and was conveniently situated just a mile and a half from Mardy Railway Station on Upper Mardy Farm. On Monday 13th April 1896 the opening Olway Hurdle was won by Bribe for Mr Gilbert, while the feature Usk Steeplechase went to the 4/1 On favourite Orloff. In the early years the races were organised by the Usk Race Committee, but from 1903 until their demise 3 years later the races were jointly administered by the Usk Race Committee and the Llangibby Hunt Race Committee. The final meeting took place on Monday 2nd April 1906 when Mr T G Longworth’s Knightstick won both the Olway Hurdle and the Cefa Tilin Maiden Race, in each case ridden by Grand National hero the Hon. Aubrey Hastings. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 3 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Honourable Aubrey Hastings, Ivor Anthony |
| Principal Races |
Olway Hurdle, Llangibby Chase, Llandenny Chase, Usk Maiden Chase |
Monday 13th April 1896
Usk Steeplechase over 2 miles
1. Orloff, 5 year old owned by Mr S H Wood
2. Saucy Girl, 6 year old owned by Captain A R Reade
3. Trivial, 6 year old owned by Mr W Smedley
Betting: 4/1 ON Orloff, 6/1 Saucy Girl, 8/1 Trivial |
| The final meeting took place on Monday 2nd April 1906. |
| Course today |
The land on which the racecourse stood has now returned to farmland as Upper Mardy Farm. |
| 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 2 South of Hatfield £14.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 3 Wales & Scotland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volumes 1 - 4 £54.96 + £5 postage |
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