FIRST MEETING

1885

SITUATED

Pipes Gate, approximately 2 miles from the village of Woore, between Stone ( Staffs.) and Nantwich ( Cheshire).

With grateful thanks to Dave Francis for the scan. His Uncle Henry, at the ripe old age of 93, has fond memories of going to Mucklestone races on Easter Saturday, and following it up with a visit to Woore on Easter Monday. Many a horse running on the Saturday would turn out again at Woore on the Monday. He recalls Mucklestone was held just once a year, but Woore, based on Racecourse Farm owned by John Icke, would draw crowds in excess of 1500.

DISTANCES

2 miles and upwards.

PRINCIPAL RACE

Woore Chase

Many thanks to Dave Francis for the image of the stable blocks.

WORLD WAR I

Closed

WORLD WAR II

Closed

FACT

Dick Francis, the novelist, had his first ride at Woore on Russian Hero. Keith Johnson informs us that the brood mare Catherine the Great was a half sister to Russian Hero and was owned by his stepfather, Mr Darlington who then lived at Hoolgrave Manor. Hoolgrave Manor is in Church Minshull, near Crewe in Cheshire, and is currently owned by A.Hollinshead.

QUESTION

What feat did Russian Hero achieve in 1949?

CURRENT SITUATION

Very little evidence of a racecourse having existed, although part of the racecourse stables still exists.

See the photographic evidence kindly provided by Dave Francis.

LAST MEETING

1^st June 1963

The very last racecard provided by a lifelong Woore Racecourse enthusiast Dave Francis.

If you have :-

a favourite memory of this racecourse;

photos or a postcard of the course;

a members badge from the course, either to sell or as a scan;