Kington Racecourse

[Bilge]

I have visited this place upon Hergest Ridge for many a year, I have ridden horse, bike and walked upon it hundreds of times. I also am aware of the old racecourse.
Only a couple of weeks ago I visited the area and found elaborate constructed viewing places around the course with carefully placed stone for seating etc.

Can anyone tell me the period that it was used for and how often meets were held there.

My family farm in the vicinity but probally have about as much knowledge of the place as any other visitor.
From what I can gather. The course has not been used since about 1900.

[dragongirl]

hI
   
googled and cameup with the following:
The racecourse was popular between 1825 -1846 it replaced a racecourse at nearby Bradnor Hill.
Horse Races continued until 1880 and was popular with the local gentry and the family community.
Lots more snippets on Hegest Hill -evidently Mike Oldfield lived there,

[Bilge]

Thank You Dragongirl.

I found this snippet in a book.

KINGTON Herefordshire.
Memorials of an Old Town
By W.H.Howse.
Printed for mid-border Books Castle Hill, Kington, by Printex, 33 Duke Street, Kington (1989)

Kington once had a famous race meeting. (I cannot find any reference to this elsewhere) This started about 1775 on a course on Bradnor Hill. It was moved in 1825 to the course still to be seen on Hergest Hill, where the meetings continued until 1846. This was revived in the 1850's but did not survive long after 1870's

[vic1]

Went to school in  Kington  and that is about the sum of my knowledge - howeve kington does have a museum  and they may be able to help you more.

http://www.kingtonmuseum.co.uk/

[hanes teulu]

Can only find one newspaper report of racing at Kington. This was an Irish paper but also included a report of Manchester racing.

Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser, Tuesday, Aug 6, 1839
KINGTON RACES - THURSDAY
Plate of 50 sovs; heats, twice round and a dis.
Mr Barrow's b m Catharina, aged       ...  ...         1  1
Mr Wadlow's b m Woodbine, 4yrs       ...  ...         3  2
Mr Wood's b m Mary Wood, 5yrs        ...  ...         2  dr
The Farmer's Stakes of 3 Sovs each, and 25 added, were won by Mr Wadlow's b m Woodbine, the Hack Stakes by Mr Bodenham's Glow Worm, and the Purse by Mr Davies's Forester Lass.

regards

[hanes teulu]

Lloyd Weekly Newspaper, Sun Apr 12 1891
"George Wilson, a farmer, of New Radnor, was killed on Kington racecourse on Wednesday while racing against another farmer for a wager"

regards

[Bilge]

Thanks for both those hanes teulu. Cheers Vic will drop in next time I visit if open!

[Bilge]

Been sometime but I have found this today.

http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Kington%20Racecourse.html

[hanes teulu]

A great find - two racecourses identified.
Newspapers reported the local fox hunts, describing in some detail the course the hunt followed. For example -

Hereford Journal, 19 April 1843
HUNTING
"...... He**broke off for Berver Bank, across the Radnor Road, through Knill Churchyard, round Sir John's house, over the water, up Nillgarry Hill, over for Tinker's Wood; left the Old Kington race-course to the left, skirted Bradnor Wood, on for the Donfields, and to Stanner, round the Naviges"

** - did "He" get away - sadly no, tho' he gave his pursuers 2 hours "sport"..