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Racing in England and Ireland 1650-1700
This list contains all the references we have been able to find, so far, but should not be taken as comprehensive.
Year Month Date Town  
1652 November 4th Newmarket A Match
Sir Horatio Townshend's horse     1
Earl of Suffolks' horse     2
1654     Berwick 1654: Horse racing was prohibited by the Commonwealth for six months, to prevent "tumultuous meetings", and the Council, having heard of a projected race meeting at Berwick, sent a copy of their proclamation to the Hon. (Captain) Charles Howard, instructing him to prevent the meeting taking place, to make any person prisoner he thought necessary and to report results. Cromwell ordered two troops of horse to go to his assistance and gave him authority to raise forty dragoons.
1654 April 25th Alnwick Tate’s History of Alnwick, i, 428-431, shows that Hobberlaw Edge was in use as a course before 1654. He quotes from minutes of a Court Leet of Algernon, Earl of Northumberland, 17th April, 1654, a decision made at the wish of  "the Borough and other inhabitants" that the course of the "accustomed horse race constantly held on the said Burrow, called Hobberlaw Edge shall be altered," and details are given.  The race was to be held on St. Mark’s Day, 25th April.
1660 May 29th Haddington "Yet Haddington, which opportunistically held a race on 29 May 1660, the day the returning Charles II entered London, showed its loyalty by giving as prize a cup with the arms of the burgh engraved on it."
1661     Aberdeen The Book of Bonaccord, published 1839, in which it stated: "On the Links is a racing course, but this sport, never very popular in Scotland, has been wholly neglected in Aberdeen for the last ten or twelve years."
"It appears that horse races were occasionally held (on the sea beach) about 1661, and were revived for a short time about 1790 and again about 1812."
A footnote is added from James Gordon's Description of Aberdeen (1661) - "The seashore is plane and sandie, wher at low water there is bounds for hors raices no less than two mylls of lenthe."
"1661 and perhaps subsequently".
1661 April second Tuesday Cupar "The famour horse course of Couper, in Fife, which by the iniquity of the times hath been so long buried, to the great dissatisfaction of our nobility and gentry, is to be run, conform to the institution, upon the second Tuesday in April. There is a considerable number of horses to carry on the work of the day; amongst other a Waywood of Polonia hath a Tartarian horse. This noble gentleman was pleased to come to this nation to congratulate our happy restoration and it is to be desired that such curious gallants as come from foreign nations to see this course, that they should do as others formerly did, sleep in the time of the Solemnity.  It is now clearly made to appear by a frequent con-course of gentry in these fields, that the report of the horse infection was an absolute aspersion."

The following is recorded in the Diary of Fife (by John Lamont) regarding the sport  in 1661:
"The laird of Philiphawch his horse won the race at Cupar this year, and Stobs' horse, surnamed Scot, was second. Only those two ran .... That which was formely money is now converted to a large silver cup, worth 18 Lb Sterl. or thereby, as is reported. The rider that won was John Hoome. On the morrow, being the first of May, they ran for a silver cup, worth 5 Lb. Ster., given by the Provost of Cuper for the time, videlicet, the Earl of Rothes, where Powry Fothering-ame's horse in Angus carried the day, the same John Hoome being the rider, and William Arnot's horse, Ferny's brother, was the last of the four to run ."

"From 1610, revived in 1661, and almost certainly continued for the rest of the century".
1661     Leigh, Scotland racing "every Saturday" in 1661.
1661     Haddington "restarted 1660 and held in 1661".
1661     Lanark The Lanark Bell of 1608/10 probably marks the beginning of racing: it was resumed in 1661, and probably continued for the rest of the century.
1661     Jedburgh "revived 1661; recorded in 11 separate years in the seventeenth century".
1661     Berwick, Lamberton By 1661. Although in England, the races were at Lamberton in Scotland.
1661     Dumfries After the restoration it was decided that the Dumfries Race bell was to be won three times by the same horse and rider to become the permanent property of the owner of the winning horse.
1662 March 3rd Hunwicke Moor, Bishop Auckland, Durham Mr. Arden, House Steward to Bishop Cosinm, writing  to Mr. Stapleton, the Bishop's land agent, on business, interpolates this little bit of gossip: "Auckland, 3rd March. This day we have horse races here on Hunwicke Moore. Mr. Davidson has a little nag runs with the like of Capt. Darcy's. Mr. Bricknell rides Mr. Davidson's nag. There will be much company there.  Our Lady's goe in my Lord' coach from here".
1662     Inverness 1662 and perhaps subsequently.
1663 March 11th Newmarket "This day the first race was run between the Duke of Richmond and Ld Suffolke who lost the day, and the Duke won an 100lb though in the morning hee got a very terrible fall in running a horse of my Lord of Turmonds..."
1663 May 25th, 27th Banstead Downs, Epsom Races
1663 July 27th Banstead Downs, Epsom Races
1664 April   Winchester Races
1664     Dumfries A silver cup was given at Dumfries Races.
"A cup for a race of good-quality horses was bought in 1664".
1664     Stirling "By 1598. Revived in 1664, known in 1665, 1673-4, and almost certainly run for the rest of the century".
1665 May 6th Dublin Several races.
1665   Shrove-Tuesday Chester Plate won by a high sheriff who borrowed a Barbary horse from Sir Thomas Middleton.
1666 March   Newmarket Letter from Sir Paul Neile to Henry Singesby, regarding a races at Newmarket in March:
My [Lord] Garrett had a forfeit paid him for a mach he had made with Mr. Elliot, and My Lord Excetter's horse Boepeepe beat my Lord of Oxford's horse Rainbow, so far that my Lord Buckingham who maintained the horse could not sturne Boepeepe, nor get indeed any trial of him. Lord Garrett beat Mr. May's gelding, and since we came away there have been 3 matches more. My Lord Buckingham ran the parson's mare, as they call her, with a gelding of Mr. Bar. Howard's, and lost. My Lord Garrett ran his horse (to whom Mr. Elliott paid the forfeit) with my Lord Buckingham's horse Spavins, and lost. My Lord Townley's horse Herring ran with Lord Suffolk's horse Whitefoot and won. "
 
A Match Lord [Mount] Garrett's horse Recd
  Mr. Elliot's horse  Paid
A Match Lord Excetters Boopeepe
Won easily		 1
  Lord Oxford's Rainbow 2
A Match Lord [Mount] Garrett's horse 1
  Mr. May's gelding 2
A Match Hon. B. Howard's horse 1
  Lord Buckingham's mare [called the Parson's Mare] 2
A Match Lord Buckinghams' Spavin 1
  Lord [Mount] Garrett's horse 2
A Match Lord Townley's Herring 1
  Lord Suffolk's Whitefoot 2
A Great Race, 6 miles Lord Thomond's Thumps
Won by a yard.		 1
1666 April 12th Cupar At a horse-race at Cupar, "the Lord Lithgow and the Lord Carnegie, after cups, there passed some words betwixt them, and about night they drew off from the rest, on the hill towards Tarbet Broom, and drew their swords one at another, till at last Carnegie gave Lithgow a sore wound. While this was noised abroad, divers of the nobility and others there present did ride to stop them; among whom was the Earl of Wemyss, who, labouring to ride in betwixt the parties, had both his own horse under him, and his man's horse, thrust through by them, while they were drawing one at another, so that both the horses died; also one of Lord Melville's horses was hurt, and the Lord Newark had one of his servants ridden down also and hurt. At night they were both put under arrest by his majesty's commissioner [the Earl of Rothes] at Cupar, in their several quarters."—Lam.
1666 October Second Thursday Newmarket The first King's Plate at Newmarket was held in October of 1666. The rules for this race were established following the second Thursday in October of 1665.
1667 March [possibly]   Beadnell Northumberland County History, ii, 265, contains an amusing letter from a postillion at Ellingham to his mistress, Mrs. Haggerston, in London, asking her to get leave from his master "to let him ride Laurence Gibson’s galloper at Bedenel Races", date 17th March, 1667.
1667 Jume   Newcastle The Duke of Buckingham ran two horses for the Town's Plate.
1668c     Woodstock Park Lovelace established annual horse race in the Park. "After the sale of the manor in 1652 the park seems to have been let in parcels during the Interregnum, the chief lessee being Sir Arthur Haselring with 646 a. of pasture and meadow; Col. Henry Smith held 316 a., and there were three other holdings of between 120 a. and 140 a. Haselrig was said to have created pastures in the northern park for his bloodstock (perhaps the paddocks lining the western edge in the early 18th century), while other areas were ploughed up. In all 1,285 a. of pasture and 78 a. of meadow were let, from a park reckoned to be 1,793 a.; the rest may have been woodland. After the Restoration the park was once more administered as a unit by its officers, principally as a deer park. Renewal began with the acquisition of Combe leys in the 1660s, and there were improvements to meadows, ponds, plantations, and lodges under Lord Clarendon and his successors. Woodstock Park never regained its popularity with the royal family, however, and its chief importance in the later 17th century was as the site of a popular race meeting. The "four mile course" recorded in 1684 was laid out in the northern park, and there was a separate, shorter course for foot races and smock races; both survived the landscaping of the park in the early 18th century. In the 1670s, when both the earl of Rochester and John, Lord Lovelace, were resident in the park, their wild behaviour caused much scandal. "When the 'incumbrances' of the park were bought out in 1705 ..." 1705 being the year in which Queen Anne bestowed the gift of Woodstock on the Duke of Marlborough.
From a different page: "The name Woodstock (place in the woods) may have applied first to a royal hunting lodge established on the edge of Wychwood forest in the Anglo-Saxon period. The site, on the north bank of the Glyme opposite Blenheim Palace, was occupied until the early 18th century by a royal residence, called the king's houses or Woodstock Manor. By the 12th century it was surrounded by a great park, Woodstock Park, renamed Blenheim when granted by the Crown in 1705 to John Churchill, duke of Marlborough."
1668 May 22nd Newmarket "King and Duke of York and Court are at this day at Newmarket, at a great horse-race, and proposed great pleasure for two or three days, but are in the same wet."
"Here the gentleman and I to dinner, and in comes Captain Forster, an acquaintance of his, he that do belong to my Lord Anglesey, who had been at the late horse-races at Newmarket, where the King now is, and says that they had fair weather there yesterday" [Pepy's Diary].
1668 October   Newmarket Letter from Sir Nicolas Armourer to Secretary Williamson at Whitehall: This is to understand that after the death off a Fox & Leass off Hares besides a brave Horse at Newmarket... Oh deare Ld. Thomond hath won the great Race, I betted 2 guineas for you & as a frollic to C. Castle, we have won. Thy Armourer brings for you, and himself, two gunneys wch was improved on Thump’s victory; won by a yard and soe straight the entire six miles... The Cup ridd for here next week before ye Queene.
1669 March 7th Newmarket Races.
1669 March   Brackley Races.
1669 September 17th, 18th Richmond, Yorkshire A plate of £50, £20.
1669     Newmarket A Match
Sir _____ Elliot's (white) horse     1
Hon. R. Howard's (green) horse     2
1670 April 7th Newmarket Correspondence of Right Rev. John Cosin, D.D., Lord Palatin and Bishop of Durham: "The King came hither this day at noone, driving from Newmarket, hither in 8 houres, and my Lord St. John's Horse Tancred is victor again."
1670c
possibly		     Blencarn, Cumberland Races.
1670c May   Drigg The southern part of Drigg lying between the Irt and the sea, a district composed for the most part of drifted sand, was formerly a common, but was accepted about the year 1800 by Lord Muncaster in exchange for the tithes of Drigg. On the sands, about 1670, Sir William Pennington established a "horse course" where horse races were run annually in May. This race meeting was a popular one and attended by crowds from all the surrounding villages, the day being closed with dancing and other festivities.
1670 September 15-19th Richmond, Yorkshire Two races for horses of the best breed in the North, a plate of £50, a plate of £20.
1670 October 9th Newmarket This day the races being run (one with Gograce and an other person I not know, tho the winner, & ye other wth Mr. Maye's Gelding who got the Course against a horse sad to be backed by rich Cittiyans)...
1671     Newmarket "...great match run between Woodcok and Flatfoot, the former belonging to the King and the latter to Mr. Elliot, "of the Bedchamber".
1672 March   Liverpool Races.
1672 April 11th Harleston, Northampton Many horses run for the silver Cup. Lord Cullen's, Lord Sherards (won), Sir W. Hazlewood, Mr. Digby.
1672 August 29th Artleborough Mr. Washbourn won a silver cup.
1672 September Thursday after Michaelmas Northampton A plate of £30, 12st., 4 heats.
1672 September 5th Rothwell, Northampton 4 horses Lord Exeter's, Lord Cullen's, Lord Blundell's and Lord Sherards'.
1672 September 14th Harleston, Northampton Races.
1672 September 19th Harleston, Northampton Races.
1672 October 9th Newmarket Mr. Bernard Howard lost a horse match of £225.
1672 October 30th Newmarket King’s has ridden two heats at Newmarket and the Duke of Abermarle’s horse had fallen under him and broken his neck.
1672 November 1st Harleston, Northampton Mr. Hanbury against Mr. Boothby.
1673 April 3rd Harleston, Northampton There was a grand race at Harleston, where Lord Lovel won the prize.
1673 April 19th Rothwell, Northampton There was a horse race at Rothwell, between Lord Cullen and Mr. Washbourn for £50, which Lord Cullen won.
1673 August 28th Rothwell, Northampton Races.
1673 September 4th Rothwell, Northampton The celebrated Rothwell were held, at which there were only three horses to start: Lord Sherard, ridden by Earl Westmorland; Sir Noel's ridden by Captain Lisle; and the horse of Digby, deceased. The first heat  Lord Sherard won. On this race there was much betting. Lord Sherard won the silver flagon.
1674 September 30th Newmarket A Match, £500
Lord Montague's horse     1
Hon. B. Howard's gelding     2
1674 October   Newmarket
The Plate Oct 8. Mr. Pape [Pope], a Yorkshire gentleman won.
A Match Oct 8. Mr. W. T. Frampton's Nutmeg     1
Duke of Albemarle's Black Buttocks     2
A Match Oct. 9. Lord Montague's Bay Lusty     1
Duke of Monmouth's Gee     2
The Spoons, value £20 Oct. 10. Mr Felton won.
1675 March 20th Newmarket The Plate
His Majesty Charles II rode the winner.
Sir Robert Car, writing from Newmarket on March 21st, says: "Yesterday His Majesty rode himself three heates and a course, and won the Plate--all fower were hard and neer ridden, and I doe assure you the King wonn by good horsemanshipp."
1675 April   Tathwell, near Louth, Lincolnshire Plate of £40.
1675 April 8th Newmarket A Match.
Lord Suffolk's Cripple     1
His Majesty's (Charles II) topping horse, Blew Capp     2
1675 April 16th, 17th Newmarket Races; Secretary Coventry: "... of the great Affair betwixt Lusty and Nutmegge".. Sir Robert Carr, about race on the 18th: "We were all undone yesterday: Lustie Lord Montacute's Horse being sadly beaten."
1675 April 23rd Newmarket Sir Rober Carr 24th: "Yesterday his majestie Rode himself theree heats and a course and won the Plate, all fower were hard and nere run, and I doe assure you the King wonn by good Horseman Ship. Last night a match between Blew Capp and a consealed horse of Mr. Mayes called Thumper to Runn the six mile course twelve stone waite upon Tuesday in Easter week, for a 1000 guineas."
1675 October 5th Mouncton Moor, near Ripon By a single course...
1675 October 16th Mouncton Moor, near Ripon 3 heats.
1676 March 20th Riblingcoats, Yorkshire On Thursday last [written March, 20th] was the great Horsecorce at Riblingcoats, Run by a fower horses Sr Rap'h Warton's horse won ye Plate and Sqr Beamont's was the second : 'twas near run betwixt those two theire being not above a Length difference : all ye ods was on Beamont's horse. Leger was the 3d & Osbaldeston the Last. [T. Alslaby to Secretary Williamson at Whitehall]
1676 April   Newmarket Sir Robert Howard ran his son’s "nag" against one of Mr. Frampton’s horses for £1000.
1676 April   Salisbury Mr. Frampton had a match with another gentleman for £1000.
1676   Whitson-week Burford For 7 years will be run, towards 14 stone Plate.
1676 August The last Wednesday, next day Winchester Plate, about 14st., 3 4-mile heats.
Contributor's Plate for 7 years.
1676 September 14th, 15th Woodstock A race; Lord of Exceters Roan Horse won it, being yeelded after two heats.
1676 September 23rd Bletchingdon Races.
1676 October 10-11th Mouncton Moor, near Ripon By a single course, 3 heats.
1677 June first Thursday Jedburgh "7th May, 1677. The Council ordains the Treasurer to send into Edinburgh for ane Silver Cup at £6 or £7 sterling and have it ready for their horse race to be run upon the first Thursday of June next, and for that effect ordains the same races to be proclaimed the morn by tuck of drum being the 8th May instant, and constitutes and ordains the former Acts anent the gentlemen who bring in their horses forty-eight hours before the ordinary time of running, and their consignation of their money to be in the hands of the Treasurer and he to be accountable therefor.
1677 September 14th, 15th Woodstock A race; the afternoon went to ye race at Woodstock for the gold cup wch  Mr. Edw. Griffith won.
1677   Thursday before Whitsunday Cyrencester, Gloucester 40 pounds plate, on old Course.
1678 April Last Thursday, Wednesday Brackley 10st. race, 16st race; a Town Plate, 10st.
1678 May First Thursday and Friday Blandford, Dorsetshire A Plate of £15, 10st.; a Plate of £25, 12st.
1678 May 8th, Wednesday North-berney and Banton Downs, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire A Plate of £40.
1678 August Third Wednesday Wakefield, Yorkshire A Plate of £30, 12st., 3 3-mile heats; a Plate of £15, 10st.; selling for £20, 3 3-mile heats.
1678 August 17th Datchet Races.
1678 September 16th Woodstock Gold Cup.
1678 October 15th, Tuesday Lichfield Races.
1679 September 13th Campfield, Oxon. MS Diary of the Earl of Anglesey: ye afternoon at Campfield race for ye gold plate where Mr. Bayntons bay gelding won ye plate agt Mr. Tho. Whartons black [unreadable].
1679 September 16th   MS Diary of the Earl of Anglesey: "The afternoon at the Race for Woodstock plate wch  the Earle of Rochesters gray won."
1679 September 17th Qy. Bletchingdon, Oxon. ... we went to ye race for my son Annesley's Plate wch Little Jack of Dandy won, Mr. Mason's horse agt Newcastle, Duke of Bucks, 2 others giving out after tryall. [Lord Anglesey's Diary]
1679 August Third Wednesday Wakefield, Yorkshire A Plate of £30, 12st., 3 3-mile heats; a Plate of £15, 10st.; selling for £20, 3 3-mile heats.
Oliver Heyward attended on at least three occasions. He says that on 20th August, 1679, a foot race was held as well as a horse race, the same man winning both, although there was some confusion and trickery over the matter, for there was a dispute about the result.
1680 March 10th Farndon, near Eaton Hall, 8km from Chester Races.
1680 March April   Newmarket
A LIST OF HORSE RACES TO BE RUN AT NEWMARKET THIS MONTH, MARCH, AND THE FOLLOWING MONTH OF APRIL.
March 4th. A Match, £100. 4 miles. Shuffler, 9st.     1
Mr. Griffin's Ball, 9st.     2
April
1st. Shuffler against Mr. Griffin's horse Ball, on 4th March.  4 mile course. 9st. weight a-piece.  For 100 guineys.
2nd. Dragon against Red Rose, on 22nd March. The first rides 8st. 5l., the other 9st. 5l.  For 300 guineys.
3rd. Gee against Tinker, on 23rd March. 9st. a -piece. For 200 a-piece.
4th. Shuffler against Bonny Lad, on 1st April. 4 miles. 9st. a-piece. For 100 guineys.
5th. Fulborn against Morgan's Dun Mare, on 1st April. The first rides 6st. 6l., the latter 6st. For 200 guineys. Half forfeit. The 6-mile course.
6th. Leather Lips against Coolbrook, the 1st April, for £300 each. The first rides 8st. 6l., the other 1l. under 8st., being 7l. odds.
7th. Hon. Bernard Howard's bay nag against Mr. Walden's gelding, for 100 quarters of the best upland oats, backwards and forwards. The 4-mile course.  Two little boys particularly named to ride them.
8th. Chopper against Colonel Langley's mare, the first Wednesday in April. The gelding (Chopper) gives weight for inches. The lowest is 10st.  For 100 guineys.
9th. Mouse, the Duke of Monmouth's gelding, against the Duke of Albemarle's grey gelding. The best of 3 heats. 12st. For £200.
10th. Tinker against Lady Betty, on 6th April.  The first, 8st. 7l., the mare 8st. For 30 guineys. Half forfeit.
11th. Earl of Oxford's horse Shirker against Sir Robert Car's horse Club, on the second Thursday in April. 9st. a-piece. For 200 guineys. The 4-mile course.
12th. The Lord Sherwood's horse against Lord Montague's horse Young Lusty. 9st. a-piece. For £500 a horse. 4-mile course.
13th. Mr. May's horse Spot against Major Ashton's grey horse, on 1st May. 6st. 7l. each. 1 mile. £100. Half forfeit.
14th. Hon. B. Howar'ds Balld, white leg gelding, and Mr. Milward's horse called Second Mourning, for 100 guineys per horse. Play or pay. 8st. a-piece. On Tuesday, the 27th April. The Beacon.
15th. Sir Robert Howard's horse Crop and Mr. Maie's Dragon, on 28th April, for £200 a-piece. Crop rides 9st. and the other 9st. 2l. The Beacon course. 2l. difference in weights.
16th. Leadenheels and Postboy, on 28th April. 3 miles. Leadenheels rides 8st. and a half, the other 12l. under. For £300 a-piece.
17th. Red Rose and Darcy, 9s. a-piece, on 29th April, For £500 a horse. The Beacon course.
The Plate. 4 miles. 6yo Horses. April 17. His Majesty's (Charles II) Tankot
Mr. May's Dragon
Duke of Monmouth's Spot
----- ----- Red Rose
The result unknown.
17th. Hon. Bernard Howard's gelding, called Sweet Lips, and Mr Bellingham's Scotch Galloway, for £500 a horse. 7st. 7l. each. The Beacon course, the last of April.
A Match. £100. 6 miles. April 18th. Mr. Osley's gelding     ...     Owner     1
Duke of Albemarle's Tinker     2
Great odds against the gelding.
19th. Town Plate Mr. Griffin's horse     1
Three lords and two other gentlemen's horses competed. The prize was afterwards presented to the town by Mr Griffin.
"Yesterday the Town plate was run for at the three mile Course, by three Lords and three Gentlemen: they all rid their own horses, Mr. Griffine won the Plate and presented it to Town, who accepted it very kindly."
"Newmarket, the 20. On the 18. Instant was a Race run for £100 between the Duke of Abermarle and Mr. Osley the six mile Course. Mr. Osley rid his own Gelding himself angainst the Dukes horse, which is called Tinker, there was great odds against Mr. Osley, but he won the Race...
30th. Mr. Ashton's mare and Mr. T. Frampton's mare Spot for 200 guineys a-piece, half forfeit;
30th. Hon. Bernard Howard's horse against Mr. T. Frampton's race mare for 300 guineys a-piece, half forfeit. Hon. Mr. Howard rides 8st. and a half.
Match, £ 50. Apr __. Mr. Osley's horse     0
Mr. Izinson' horse     0
Result not reported.
Match, £500. 6 miles. Major Aston's horse     0
The other competitor's name is not given.  It was reported that Aston's horse was the favourite, but nothing is known as to the result.
1680     Wakefield The same diarist says that multitudes of people went there from all parts. Justice Horton, Mr. Th. Thornhill and Mr. Thorp were there, when there were bettings of £100 on end.
1680 possibly June 14th Chester or Farndon Races.
1681 March 4th Newmarket The races commenced on the 4th, when the four mile course for £100 was run between Shuffler and Mr. Griffin's Ball, each carrying about nine stone. "Shuffler teached first the Goal by 40 paces."
1681 March 17th Burford (Bibury) "These are to give Notice, that the Plate the King used to give every Spring at the Twelve Stone Heats at Newmarket, will be run for this year at Burford Heats the 17th day of March next, by the same Articles as it used to be at Newmarket."
"....and after Dinner His Majesty went to see the Race at Downs, where Sir Ralph Dutton, Mr. Norton, Mr. Griffin, and Mr. Rowes's Horses Ran, and Mr. Griffin's Roan Horse won the Plate at two Heats, and the third was given him..."
1681 April 6th Newmarket A Great Horse-race run at Newmarket, between Major Astan's Horse and another Gentleman, the six mile course, for £500 each, 10st...
1681 April   Newmarket There was a race run at New-market, for a £50 a Horse between Mr. Olfey, and one Mr. Izinson, a Northemptonshire Gentleman...
1681 April 17th Newmarket 6yo Horse Plate is to be Run for.
1681 April 19th Newmarket Geldings and Mares Plate.
1681 April 20th Newmarket Races for Spoons and other Plate.
1681   Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Easter Northampton A Plate of £50, 12st.; A Plate of £30, 11st.; A Plate of £20, 10st;
1681 April Tuesday in Easter week Chester City of Chester - ref. ZA/B/2/194-194v - date: 16th March, 1680[/81] It was put to the question whether that year the Calves' Head Feast should be converted into money to provide a plate for a horse race on the Tuesday in Easter week. It was resolved against this.
1681 April Last Thursday, Friday Brackley A Plate of £50, 3 heats; A Plate of £15, 10st., 3 heats (selling for £30).
1681 May 4th Woodstock A Plate of £30, 15st., 1 heat.
1681 May 11th, Wednesday, the day before Holy Thursday Sarney-Downs, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire A Plate of £40, 14st.
1681 August 30th Banstead Downs Races.
1681 October   Lady Grantham’s Course, Lincoln A Plate of £20.
1681 October   Nemarket
A Match, 300 [£ or gs].  4 miles. Oct __ . Mr. Morgan's Dun Mare. 8st.     1
Sir Robert Howard's Tierge.  8st.     2
A LIST OF THE HORSE MATCHES TO BE RUN AT NEWMARKET OCTOBER AND DECEMBER NEXT, 1681.
  Stone. Wagers. Ft. Miles.
Shuffler against Looby 10 100 50 4
Pet Lamb ag Tinker, on the 1st October 09 200 ... 6
Mackrel ag Ringtail, on the 5th October 08 500 200 4
Robin ag White Buttock and Kick-up, on the 7th, and Robin half a stone under them 09 200 100 4
Rob ag Traveller, on the 8th October 7 100 50 Start between the two hills, and so over the course.
Bull ag Woodcock, on the 13th 9 300 150 6
Gage ag Parker, on 20th 8 1002 501 4
Barb ag Woodcock, three weeks after Bull's match 8 500 200 6
Chatour ag Doubtful on the 11th 10 500 200 6
Pearl ag Why Not, on the 13th 10 500 200 6
Bull ag Woodcock, second time from the seven mile ditch 9 500 200 7
Morgan's mare ag Tege, on [...] 8 300 ... 4
Scotch Galoway ag Tapster 8 500 250 4
Sir Robert Gaer's Horsechopper ag Mr. Rowe's; both ag Kick-up, on the (no date) ... 200 ... 6  a piece
Post Boy ag Draggon, 8 st 6lb; and Draggon the first rides 9st. 1l. 1000 500 6
Draggon ag Chubb, on 1st December 9 500 300 6
These matches may be altered by consent, and the Guard Horse (probably Major Aston's) hath paid two forfeits, one to Leadenheels the other to Madcap.
Hobler will pay his forfeit to Postboy. There will be more matches made to show the King sport.
1682 March   Newmarket
A Match Mar -- Mr. Rider's French horse     1
His Majesty's (Charles II) Corke     2
A Match " -- Sir Robert Car's Postboy     1
His Majesty's (Charles II) Mouse     2
A Match. 1 ½ mile. " -- Sir Robert Car's horse     0
Sir Robert Geere's gelding     0
disputed start
A Match "  28 Mr. Bellingham's Traveller     1
Mr. Roe's Stanford     2
Won by a foot and a half.
1682 May 2nd Downs, Datchet (Windson) A great horse race.
1682 May 3-4th Woodstock A Plate of £30, 10st., 3 heats; A Plate of £30, 10st., 3 heats.
1682 July 17th Chapletown Moor, Leeds Mr. Sk. and Mr. Sm. ride their own horses for a wager, which was the first, and for aught I know, may be the last horse course ever seen by me.
1682 July   Leith Races.
1682 August   Downs, Datchet (Windson) There were several horseraces at Dotchett ferry.
1682 August 15th, 16th  and 17th Outwood, Wakefiel In 1682 the meeting had grown into a fair lasting three days, and was attended by the Duke of Norfolk and many Lords and Knights, as well as by large numbers of the common people. The races were still held there at the same time of the year up to the end of the 18th century, when the enclosure of the commons of Outwood took place."
The same diarist records racing on the Outwood, 15th, 16th and 17th August, with a horse fair at Wakefield.
1682 August end of month Quainton-Meadow, near Ailesbury A Plate of good value, a Plate of good value, A Plate of £20 (it is said that this plate has been run the last 2 or 3 years).
1682 August-September 7 days after Bartholomew day (31st), 1st Winchester A Plate 15st., 3 heats (for 7 years).
1682 September 6-7th Rothwell-Slade, Northemptonshire A Plate of £10, 10st., 3 2-mile heats (selling 10£); A Plate, 12st., 3 4-mile heats.
1682 September 15th Newmarket FILE - ROBERT ROPER to ROGER KENYON. - ref. DDKE/acc. 7840 HMC/479 - date: 1682, September 15 [from Scope and Content] Knowsley.--"His Lordship [Lord Derby] takes his journey on Munday next, straight for Newmarket, but does not call at Aswerby. Have-at-all wonne all with ease; there was about 2 lengths distance between Black How and Sweet Lipps. My lord's mare was lame and thereby was beaten sufficiently."
1682 September 22nd Hyde Park 2 heats for 200gs.
1682 September second Tuesday (or Thursday) of the month Wallasey (New Brighton, suburb of Liverpool) "The first Plate was for £60; it was won by the Duke's [of Monmouth] horse (owner up); Young Whitely, ridden by its owner, was second; Mr. Bould's horse, ridden by Hon. Henry Booth, was third; and Bittingham last. Each horse carried 12 stone. Monmouth offered to lay £1000 on his horse, but nobody would take him. The Plate of £30 was won by Mr. Booth, the other horses in this race being property of Mr. Derby, Lord Molineux's son, and Mr. B. Mingham. Afterwards Lord Derby's horse won his match; and Mr. Booth carried off a similar event from Mr. Bannister."
The Tory Party arranged in Delamere Forest an opposition meeting to that arranged for 11th and 12th September at Wallasey. The late Mr. J. B. Robertson wrote regarding this clashing of fixtures:
"The Whigs proved the more crafty tacticians. They arranged that a smart animal, the property of the Hon. Thomas Wharton, already entered for the Tory Plate at Delamere, should run in the name of the Duke of Monmouth, what time they carried on with their own meeting at Wallasey. Mr Wharton's horse won easily, and at Wallasey the Duke rode his own horse to victory in the £60 Plate from three other runners. The £30 Plate was won by Mr Booth, one of the unplaced horses being the property of the ninth Lord Derby, who, how-ever, won a match the next day. The Duke afterwards won a couple of foot races, and then partook of refresh-ments in Lord Derby's tent.
The Tuesday night was spent in merrymaking in Liverpool, and after Wednesday's racing the Monmouth party and the local Whigs returned to Chester in triumph to celebrate the Duke's dual victory at Delamere and Wallasey. At the banquet which followed at the Mansion House, under the presidency of the Mayor, Lord Derby, Monmouth's health was proposed and drunk before that of his father, the King.
This was the true cause of his arrest as he was returning to London, where, on his arrival, he was charged with fomenting rebellion, brought to trial and acquitted on 23rd October. The King, who was much attached to his eldest son, advised him to return to the Continent, but his racehorses continued to run in England in his name."
1682 October   Newmarket
Oct -- ----- Teague * Sir R Geere     1
Col Aston's Guard Horse Owner     2
* This was probably Sir R Geere's own horse.  Both fell after passing the post, and riders severely injured.
A Match, £500. 6 miles. " -- His Majesty's (Charles II) Dragon     1
Sir Robert Car's Why Not     2
Won by a length.
A Match " -- Mr. Rider's Mouse     1
His Majesty's (Charles II) Roan     2
A Match " -- His Majesty's (Charles II) Corke     1
Sir Robert Car's Small Cole     2
2 to 1 Small Cole.
A Match Oct -- Mr. May's horse Whim     1
Mr. Barne's The Tool     2
Won easily.
A Match, 700 guineas " -- Sir Robert Car's Postboy, 4st.     1
His Majesty's (Charles II) Dragon, 7 st.     2
A close finish.
1683 March 3rd Farndon, Cheshire A Plate of £20, 10st., 3 3-mile heats.
1683 March-April   Newmarket
A Match Mar 12   

 

 Mr Staple's * mare Owner     1
Mr Felton's horse Owner     2
Won easily.
* In another account Mr Sheldon.
A Match, 20 guineas. 1 mile.
(Probably a pony match) " 12		 Duke of Richmond's or Duke of Grafton's horse    1
Jack of Burford Mr Killigrew's horse A Boy     2
On the 27th February 1683 the following program for the Races was put forward:--
"There are already 13 set matches made for considerable sums of money between these following horses. As to particular days when they run, and what they run for, you may suddenly expect."  But this favour was not vouchsafed.
1. Pearl and Hawker
2. Pembroke and Shuffler
3. Crop and White Buttocks
4. Traveller and Pudding
5. Mr. Row's Crop and Mr. Rider's Sorrel
6. Red Rose and Mayeril
7. Mr. Packington's mare and Mr. Newel's mare
8. Mr. Pullen's mare and Mr. Bellingham's horse
9. Have at All and Sussex Pad
10. Duke of Grafton's horse and Mr. Bartlet's horse
11. Lord Willoughby's gelding and a horse called Buckhunter
12. Mr. Birkenhead's horse and Sir Hugh Middleton's mare
13. A large black gelding and Sir Robt Russel's horse
The only result known of this meeting is the match between Mr. Brown's "Have at All" and ----- "Sussex Pad" for £300 a side, 9st. each. The distance is not given. This took place on 15th March, when "Have at All" in running broke his hind leg and was shot.
1683 April   Durham A silver plate.
1683 August third Wednesday and Thursday Wakefield, Yorkshire A Plate of £30, 10st.; a Plate of £15, 10st.
1683 September   Winchester King Charles was there, but there is no data about races.
1683 Autumn   Delamare Forest, Cheshire Two horse races, a Match, and for a Saddle.
1683 September First Wednesday and Thursday Rothwell Slade, Northemptonshire A Plate, 10st., 3 2-mile heats; 12st., 3 4-miles heats.
1684 possibly March   Newmarket [La. IV. 34  fol. 175] The Duke of York (James II and VII) to Lady Waldegrave (Henrietta Fitz-James) The very cold weather does not stop the Duke from the horse-races or hunting. Newmarket, 7 Mar. [1683/4c]
1684 April   Newmarket Letter of the Duke of York, dated 10th of March 1684 in which it is said:
"... there has been but one considerable horse race since we came; and on Wednesday the two famous horses Dragon and Why not, are to run...."
1684 April 16th White Moor, near Kenilworth, Warwick A 20gs. plate, 12st., 3 4-miles heats.
1684 April 23rd, Thursday in Easter Week Clifford Moor, near Weatherby A £50 plate, 10st., 3 heats.
1684 July 23rd, Wednesday Doncaster, York A £10 plate, 1 heat; for horses less than £10 value, 3 heats.
1684 August 24th Datchet Ferry, near Windsor Races
1684 August last Thursday Quainton-Meadow, near Ailesbury A plate of £40, 12st. (winning horse to be sold to second for more than 25gs); A plate of £10, 11st.
1684 September 15th, 16th and17th Woodstock Park A plate of £40, 13st., 3 4-miles heats (selling for 100gs); a Buck and Doe (selling for £20).
1684 September second Friday, Last Thursday Winchester A Plate of £80, 10st., 3 heats; 10st. plate; 15st. plate
1684 September second Wednesday, second Thursday Newport Pagnel, Buckinghamshire A Plate of £20; a 40gs Plate 12st., 3 heats.
1684 October second Thursday Lincoln A Plate of £30, 12st. 2 heats and a course.
1684 October   Newmarket
A Match Oct 8 Mr. Griffin's horse     1
Mr. Barne's horse     2

 
A Match "   " Mr. T. Wharton's grey gelding     1 1 1
Lord Godolphin's horse     2 2 2
Won the three heats.
A Match "   " Mr. Stapley's horse     1
Mr. Roe's horse     2
(The long course).
A Match "    8 Sir Robt Car's Why Not     1
His Majesty's (Charles II) Dragon     2
A Match "   " Mr. Stapley's horse     1
Duke of Albemarle's horse     2
Letter from the Duke of York to his niece Charlotte, Countess of Lichfield [8th Oct. 1684]:
"There has been horse races now three days together; on Monday Griffins Horse beat Barnes, yesterday L'd Godolphin's horse lost all the three heats to Mr. Wharton's gray gelding, and after they were over Stapley beat Roe the long Course; this day Dragon was beaten by Whynot, and Stapley won another match: it was of the Duke of Albemarle."
1684     Banff, Scotland By 1684.
1685 April 13th, Monday Brackley A Plate value fourscore Pounds, 12st. 3 heats.
1685 April 23rd, Thursday Clifford Moor, Weatherby 2 plates of £50, 10st., 3 3-mile heats, greater plate for 1st other for 2nd.
1685 April possibly Tuesday after St. Mark’s day Alnwick By 1685 the date had been changed to “Tuesday after St. Mark’s day”. In that year Thomas Forster, of Therston (Adderstone) gave the Freemen £20, which they invested in a Plate to be run for by horses owned by Freemen, and held by the winner for a year.
1685 July 25th