2nd May 2005
Horse racing returns to L’Ancresse race course
Horse racing now takes place on L’Ancresse common most May Day bank holidays. That wasn’t always the case, though. It fell out of favour for 13 years between 1992 and 2005 after organisers had trouble finding runners to participate.
Guernsey Race Club sponsored a day of racing at the Les Landes course in Jersey in 2004 and, following a positive response, decided to investigate bringing the sport back to Guernsey. Work began almost right away on returning the course to the required standard. Labourers added top soil and re-seeded worn out patches, while the Guernsey Race Club applied to the Channel Islands Racing and Hunt Club for permission to host a fixture.
Successful race days
Since 2010, L’Ancresse Racecourse has been home to the Ravenscroft Channel Islands Handicap £5000. This is the largest horse-racing prize in the Channel Islands. The course itself is a one mile and one furlong-long circuit, run in a clockwise direction.
FREE Guernsey history newsletter
Don't miss our weekly update on Guernsey's fascinating history. We promise never to sell your data to anyone else, and there's a super-easy unsubscribe link on the bottom of each email so you can leave whenever you want.
Other events that occured in May
Priaulx Library opens for the first time
- The library was a gift to the island from Osmond de Beauvoir Priaulx
- Read more…
A liberation celebration ended in disaster
- The 20 year old secretary of the Guernsey Motor Cycle and Car Club was killed when his car turned over.
- Read more…
Guernsey woman advised to leave for her safety
- Frances Laszczak was accused of giving evidence to the German forces against John Ingrouille.
- Read more…
Guernsey poet and painter Denys Corbet was born
- Denys Corbet was a poet, painter, land valuer, parish constable and clock repairer.
- Read more…