Hereford Journal 19 August 1784

KNIGHTON RACES, 1784.

            ON Friday the 3rd of September will be run for on the Bailey Course, near Knighton, in the county of Radnor, A Purse of FIFTY POUNDS, by horses, etc., not exceeding 13 hands high, that never 5/. at any one time (to start at half past eleven in the forenoon); to carry catch. weight.—the best of  two-mile heats.

            In  the afternoon of the same day, A Purse of FIFTY POUNDS, by horses, etc., that never won 10/, at any one time, not exceeding  14 hands high.—Four years old to 6st. 7lb.: Five year olds 7st.; Six year olds 7st. 7lb.; and aged 8st. - the best of three four-mile heats.

            On Saturday the 4th, the Town Subscription Purse of FIFTY POUNDS, for horses, etc. that never won 10/. at any one time (matches and sweepstakes excepted); Four years old to catty 7st. 4lb.; Five years old 8st.; Six years old 8st. 11lb..; and aged 9st. the best of three four-mile heats.

             A clear heat for tile stakes each clay.

             The above Purses are subject to articles.

The horses etc. for each Purse to be entered upon Thursday the 2nd of September, at the Duke's Arms in Knighton, between the hours of three and seven In the afternoon or double at the post.

A BALL  on Friday; and ORDINARIES as usual.

​

Hereford Journal - 2nd June 1824

RADNORSHIRE

KNIGHTON RACES,

The First and Second of July, 1824.

​

            ON Thursday the First of July, will be run for on the NEW COURSE, BAILEY HILL, near Knighton, A MAIDEN PLATE of FIFTY POUNDS, given by the Members for the County and Borough of Radnor: Three-year- old, to carry 6st. 12lb:. Four. 8st. 2lb.: Five,8st. 10lb.: Six and Aged, 9st. Heats, Twice round and a distance, (about two miles and three quarters). Starting each time at the Distance Chair.

 

ON FRIDAY THE SECOND OF JULY,

A SWEEPSTAKES, of FIVE SOVEREIGNS each, and THIRTY POUNDS added by Subscription, for all Ages.  Heats, the same as for the Plate. Three-year-old, to carry 7st. 6lb; Four, 8st. 3lb.; Five, 8st. 12lb; Six, 9st.; and Aged, 9st. 2lb.  A winner of one Plate or Stakes, to carry 3lb.; Two, 5lb.; or Three 7lb. extra. Any Horse, etc., having Started  Three times in the present year without winning, to be allowed 5lb. Mares and Gelding allowed 3lb. Five Subscribers or no Race. To close on the day of Entrance for the Plate, and the Horse to be named to the Clerk of the Course at Knighton, on  or before that day.

 

THE SAME EVENING, A SWEEPSTAKES of FIVE SOVEREIGNS each, with TWENTY POUNDS added.

            Heats, Twice Round, Starting at the Chair. For Horses not thorough-bred, foaled in either of the Counties of Worcester, Hereford, Salop, Montgomery, or Radnor, and bona fide the property of a Subscriber, and that never started except for a Hunters' or Cavalry Stakes in one of those Counties. Three year-old, to carry 8st.; Four, 8st. 9lb.; Five, 9st. 4lb.; Six, 10st.; and Aged,10st. 7lb. The winner of any Stakes this year, to carry 5lb. extra. To close and name same as the other Stakes.  Six Subscribers or no Race, and the winner to be sold for Seventy Sovereigns if demanded in the usual way.

             The Horses to start for the Plate and Sweepstakes in the afternoon of each day, at such hour as the Steward shall appoint, and all Disputes to be determined by the Steward, or whom he shall appoint. No Horse for Plate or Stakes to stand but at the House of a Subscriber of at least One Guinea; nor be Plated by any Smith who does not subscribe Half-a-Guinea. The Money to be paid before starting. Nor any Booth to be erected, or Beer, or Liquor sold on or near the Course, but by Subscribers of at least Half-a-Guinea each, towards the Racing Fund. All Stakes to be paid before starting, or not entitled though a Winner. One Guinea is expected to be paid by the Owner of each Winning Horse, for Weights, Scales, etc.

            The Horses to be shown and entered at the Town Hall, in Knighton, on the Tuesday next previous to the First Day's Race, between the hours of four and eight in the afternoon. To pay Two Guineas Entrance, and Half-a-Guinea to the Clerk of the Course, or double at the Post. The Entrance Money to the second Horse.

             No less than three reputed Running Horses to Start, except by permission of the Steward, or in his absence, by any one appointed by him, if only one entry, the Owner to have Ten Guineas, and his Entrance Money returned; if two, Five Guineas each; but if two be permitted to start, and the owner of either refuse to Run his Horse, such Owner so refusing, shall forfeit his right to the said Five Guineas, and his Entrance Money.

All Dogs found on the Course, will be destroyed.

Ordinaries, and Balls, at the Duke's Arms Inn, as usual.

 RICHARD RUSSEL, Esq. STEWARD.

JOHN EVERALL, CLERK OF THE COURSE.

​

Hereford Journal - 8th July 1846

KNIGHTON. - SERIOUS ACCIDENT. - A serious accident occurred on our racecourse on Thursday evening, being the second race day, owing to the improper and too frequent practice of gentlemen allowing lads to have the care of their steeds. In this case a lad named Thomas Griffiths was riding on the north side of the course on a fine mare, the property of Mr. Edwards, Pool House, near Clun, and another lad named Thomas on a valuable horse, the property of Mr. E. Minton, George Inn, Knighton, both going at a rapid pace towards each other. The animals became unmanageable by their riders, and ran with fearful violence against each other. Mr. Edwards's mare was so seriously injured that she died the same evening; Mr. Minton's horse is under the care Mr. F. Griffiths, veterinary surgeon, but is not likely to be ever of much value. The boy Thomas was picked up in a frightfully disfigured state, one side of his face being much crushed and mangled, and nearly all his teeth forced out of their sockets, with other internal injuries, but it is hoped he will recover; the other boy escaped with but slight injury.

 

With the date of 1846 this racecourse would have been at Bailey Hill

​

Hereford Journal - 26th April 1862

Knighton (Radnorshire) Races.

(New course run for the first time April 22nd & 23rd 1862)

Knighton has now for many years enjoyed a somewhat enviable reputation for good sportsmen and genuinely honest sport, until now people have not unjustly regarded it as a kind of moral oasis, unaffected by the dishonest practices which, in too many instances, have brought the British turf into such ill repute. It dates its sports for a century or two back, when in the troublous times of one of our kings, troops were quartered in the town, and relief was found by his Majesty's forces from the monotonous pomp and parade of military life in amateur races on the Bailey Hill, an eminence which rises to a considerable height above the town, and from which many romantic pictures of a charming character may be viewed. From that time to the present, with more or less success, but always with sufficient, interest to attract a large concourse of pleasure seekers, the Knighton races have been a sort of institution of the place, the recurrence a of gala day which for has invariably been looked forward to as a gala day for Radnorshire

            Much of that success is justly attributed to the fostering care of Mr. Green Price, who like a true sportsman and a benefactor of the town, while promoting sport by every legitimate means in his power studiously preserved it from the contaminations and trickery of the genus "black-leg:"

            The old course on the Bailey Hill was found so difficult of access from the terrific nature of the ascent, that it was thought desirable, with the introduction of railway communication and the influx of visitors that might be expected therefrom, that a more convenient course should be obtained. The accession of  the old friend of the town—who brought it a railway, and thus gave it more than a local habitation and a name—to the Norton Manor estates, furthered this view, and Mr. Green liberally offered to make a course over his meadow close by the Teme, within a stone's throw of the railway station, and just below the town. As pretty a little course as any in England, in view of the stand throughout, and enclosed by an amphitheatre of fine old hills and wooded heights, was marked out, but permission had to be obtained to pass over one little piece (the only portion not belonging to Mr. Green) before the scheme could be carried out. Most illiberally, the owner refused to do that favour for the town to which he is indebted so much, and the course had consequently to be constructed in the form of a figure of "8." This has been done in the best possible manner. Six weeks ago a public meeting was held, and Mr. Morton, who has been engaged in making a portion of the Central Wales Railway, in a spirit very much distinguished from the gentleman who prevented the making of the oval course, offered to superintend the work gratuitously and to show that every penny charged had been expended. The offer was at once accepted, and Mr. Green Price not only allowed the land to be appropriated to the purposes of a course, but rendered most valuable assistance to the project by cutting down trees, grubbing up fences, and giving all the timber necessary for thefencing etc. The course is now over a mile, with a run in of nearly half a mile, at the top of the figure and towards the town.

            With the new course and increased attractions an endeavour has for the first time been made to make two days' sport instead of one, and so far, even against the adverse circumstances of other racing fixtures clashing with this and the deterrent effects of stormy weather, the attempt has been successful.

            The site by the side of the river Teme, having the Vronhere and the fine old-fashioned mansion of Llanshay, formerly in the occupation of the Duppa family on the south-east, the Bucknell Woods, on the east, the Ragged Kingdom, Stow Hill, the Garn Ditches, Caractacus' Camp on the north and north-west; the rocky escarpment and wooded heights of Kinsley Wood on the west, the town of Knighton built on the declivity of a hill on the south-west, and the Garth Hills and Llanver on the south, gave to the spot a natural and historical interest, but the picturesqueness of the scene was much heightened by the grouping of tents, rifle galleries, boxing booths, and other sources of amusement, where a sort of "fancy fair" was going on from an early hour in the day. These amusements were of a superior class to those usually found at our country fairs, and even the gentlemen who teach the "noble art of self-defence" seemed to be conscious that decent behaviour and the choice of unobjectionable language, were necessary to their existence in Knighton. One of these, rejoicing in the name of Bob Church claimed the support of the public on the ground that he was a "real native," and the patronage extended to him seemed to be considerable. The principle refreshment marquee — one of very great, extent—was comfortably fitted up by Host Roberts of the Chandos, and the civility with which it was conducted by Miss Roberts and her lady friends made it a much-frequented rendezvous. Edgington's tents also' contained branch establishments of the Crown (Mr. J. Anthony), the Fleece (Mr. R. Attfield), the King's Head (Mr. R. Thomas), the Farmers' Club House and the Globe (The Misses Tudge). The rifle corps also erected its tents and raised its banners to the breeze, and the rifle band, with much spirit, discoursed excellent music at intervals throughout the day. On the opposite side the judge's chair, and within the upper portion of the figure described by the course, were drawn up the carriages of the gentry of the neighbourhood, with the more respectable portion of the company on foot, to which the frequency of the rifle volunteer costume gave an additionally picturesque appearance.

 

Hereford Times - Saturday 26th April 1862

The old course on Bailey Hill, situated about two miles from the town, and approached by a vary bad road, was found to be inconvenient because of its difficulty of access and by way of somewhat resuscitating the sports, which had been hardy kept alive in consequence of this cause, endeavours were made to procure a course nearer home, and through the generosity of R Green Price, Esq , of Norton Manor, those endeavours were successful, an admirable course being obtained near the railway station. It was originally intended to have made it circular, or rather oval, but in order to do so it would have been necessary to pass through two fields belonging to Mr. Jones of Knighton, and one belonging to Mr. Matthews, of Ludlow, who refused permission. In consequence of being debarred from those small fields, the course at present somewhat resembles in shape the figure 8, but it is quite level all round.  On entering it from the railway station, the river Teme is seen to flow along to the left, between which and the Kingsley wood is the Knighton line of railway; on the left the view is enclosed by the Reeves, a high rising ground, whilst a little further on is the Vronier wood, which almost bends round to the front. This Course is entirely enclosed by hills, and from the number of trees scattered about, it has a picturesque appearance. It is 1 and half mile round and with the exception of one or two places where the sight is obstructed by the hedges, the horses can be seen all the way round the course by people standing on the ground. The cost of  making this course was defrayed by a subscription amongst the tradesmen of the town, and if sufficient money can ho raised a permanent stand will, doubtless, ultimately be erected.

 

 

Overlay Map 1885 - 2000, showing the site of Knighton Race Course