On This Day In (Racing) History

April 11

This day in 1970 was a memorable one for Mary Reveley as she gained her first success under Rules when Lottie Lehman scored at Sedgefield.
 
Grey said:
I never heard of Rothbury, where was it?
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Rothbury racecourse was eleven miles from Morpeth by the banks of the River Coquet. It was a tight little track, quite undulating. On that last day of racing, the crowd was around three thousand. The novice hurdle was won by Choice Archlesse ridden by Brian Fletcher, in those days a 7lb claimer, for Denys Smith. Jack Berry won the seller on Royal Guard, and the Rothbury Cup was won by Mar Letoh ridden by Ken Clemmit.

The Rothbury committee fought for two years to save their course but the requirements of the National Hunt Committee and the Betting Levy Board to race four times a year rather than one was too much. Newcastle took over the fixture.

Rothbury racecourse is now a golf club.
 
1992
On this day J S Bolger saddled 5 winners at The Curragh.
Beaten was St Jovite at odds on.Jim was an early bird back then too!
He saddled 150 winners that year I believe, also having a 5 timer on Irish Derby day.
 
April 12 1947
On this day the Cheltenham Festival was run after being postponed due to inclement weather. Champion Hurdle and Gold cup run on the same day for the last time, National Spirit and Fortina being the respective winners. Fortina was ridden by amateur Robert Black and was an entire and successful stallion subsequently.

April 12 1993

Ebony Jane wins Irish Grand National for Francis Flood and Charlie Swan. She had been trained previously by Fergie Sutherland of Imperial Call fame. The following year she was placed in Irish and Aintree Nationals run the same week I believe.
 
April 13

On this day in 1983, Teenoso opened his account with victory in a mile-and-a-half maiden at Newmarket's Craven meeting.
 
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On this day in 1913 Charlie ( Bald Eagle) Whittingham born.
A top Californian based trainer, he trained 2 Kentucky Derby winners Ferdinand 86 and Sunday Silence 89 who both won Breeders Cup Classics.
An eye witness to his pre race paddock behaviour told how he explained to owners how the race would develop and at intervals tell his jockey " Dont f**k up!"
Given his main jock was Willie Shoemaker there was little cause for concern.

On this day in 1952 J J O Neill born in Castletownroche Co Cork.One of the "club of four" to have ridden and trained Cheltenham Gold Cup winners, birthday wishes to him.
 
April 14

On this day in 1990 Roger Charlton saddled his first winner when Deploy won the Matthew Peacock Maiden Stakes at Haydock Park.
 
On this day in 1812 the 2000 Gns was run, the earliest date a classic was run.
Won by CWRW, they decided it was too early in the year for unpronounceable names !

On this day in 1952 Alberoni won Irish Grand National for M V O Brien.

Birthday greetings to T P Burns,89 still going strong and a regular at Irish flat meetings.
Rider of Ballymoss and MVOBs hurdlers in the 1950s he rode Arkle to win a flat race at Navan.
 
April 15

On this day in 1993, the John Gosden-trained Emperor Jones just got up in the final strides to take the Craven Stakes at Newmarket
 
April 15 1974
On this day Colebridge won Irish Grand National from L'Escargot, starting a 3 timer in the race for owner Mrs P Burrell and trainer Jim Dreaper who won with Brown Lad in 75,76, and 78 for good measure. Captain Christy fell at 5th fence carrying 12_2. More about him shortly!!
 
April 16

On this day in 1913 The Tetrarch won on his debut at Newmarket. The best 2yo of his or probably any era, he started at 9/2.

1979 Tied Cottage won Irish Grand National from Prince Rock. Ridden by his owner Tony Robinson who at the time was suffering from cancer,he gained some compensation for his last fence fall in Cheltenham Gold Cup the previous month. Sadly both owner and trainer D L Moore died within 15 months. A cracking race well worth seeing on youtube if there.

1988 The Irish Grand National run for the only time on a Saturday. They tried giving the race a fixed date and failed on all fronts. Perris Valley won a very average race.

1990 Dessie came to Fairyhouse and routed his field despite 12 stone and halving the last fence.

1974
On this day bookmaker Terry Rogers harangued punters at Fairyhouse with the words:

"IT'S NEVER BEEN KNOWN! YE WILL NEVER SEE IT'S LIKE AGAIN! A GOLD CUP WINNER AT EVENS IN A 4 HORSE NOVICE CHASE; ARE YE MEN OR MICE? "

The occasion was Captain Christy running in The Power Gold Cup the day after falling in Irish Grand National. His chase record to date was first or falling.
Anyway starting odds on he won by 15 lengths.
 
On this day in 1992, Alnasr Alwasheek galloped to a length-and-a-half victory over Dr Devious in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket.
 
April 17

On this day in 1991, Lady Beaverbrook, Clive Brittain and Michael Roberts teamed up to land a double at Newmarket.
 
No I don't think she ever did have a Dowager. I only know of 2 of her horses that weren't 7 letters and they were Zab and Easter Sun. Mystiko was one of the two in 1991.
 
of course Minster Son: guess she never changed a name as wasn't he named by Carson? Maid of Essex is a new one. Thanks.

On this day in 1979 One in a Million won the Nell Gwynn Stakes, going on to win the 1000G, and becoming one of the three foundation mares of the Meon Valley Stud.
 
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April 19

On this day in 1991, Shadayid underlined her claims for the 1000 Guineas with a stylish success in the Fred Darling at Newbury.

Meanwhile, across the pond in 1952 ,the great Native Dancer debuted, easily winning at Jamaica. Just a few races later, fellow legend Tom Fool was surprisingly beaten in the Wood Memorial
 
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