Shanghai Race Club
Encyclopedia
The Shanghai Race Club was the original horse racing
organization for Shanghai
, China
.
When the first horse race meeting in Shanghai took place during 1848 the Shanghai Race Club was known as the Race Committee of the Shanghai Recreation Club. In 1855 it became a Club. In 1862 it detached itself from the Shanghai Recreation Club to become an independent body. The Shanghai Race Club closed down in 1941 and reformed in 2006.
RACETRACK: The Shanghai Race Club owned the Race track
in the center of Shanghai. The park at The People's Square
in Shanghai is still in the shape of the original track. This racetrack, opened in 1862, was the 4th race track owned by The Shanghai Race Club.
RACECLUB BUILDING: The Race Club building with its imposing tower was the most sumptuous of any such club in the world. The Grand Stand was reputedly the largest in the world, and probably was. The turf
was described as "smooth as a billiard table".
The original Race Club building still stands on the side of the park at the People's Square. It is now The Art Museum.
RACEDAYS: The Spring and Autumn races days in Shanghai organized by the Shanghai Race Club were so popular as to become holidays. These 2 race meetings were described as "The Grand Festivals of Shanghai"
PROMINENT CLUB MEMBERS: Dr. William Jardine
(Tartan Stables), John Dent (Scarlet Stables), Thomas Chaye Beale
(Clerk of the Course), William Keswick, Sir John Keswick. Henry Morriss, Ada Law, Alexander Dallas, Frank Dallas, George Dallas, Coll McLean, Sir Paul Chater, John MacGregor (Strath Stables), David Sassoon "Morn" (Leviathan Stables), Sir Victor Sassoon "Eve" , Sir Raymond Toeg "Sir John", Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
, J.D. Humphreys, Henry Sylva, Sir Ellis Kadoorie, C. R. "Chuck" Burkill, A.W. "Bertie" Burkhill (Chairman of the Stewards 1927), Edward Ezra. Jack Liddell, Billie Liddle + Vera Mc Bain (We Two Stables), Major Frank Sutton, Lambert Dumbar (Bay Stables),Eric Moller, A.S. Henchman "Hench", Eric Cumine, Byron Constable (Current Chairman)
TROPHYS AND CUP: In the 1860s the most notable trophy was the Champions Stakes, a forced entry race for all winners during the 2 day race meeting. In 1884 it was renamed the Mafoo and Champions' race. IN 1927 it was renamed the Shaforce Challenge Cup and Champions' Stakes.
NOTABLE HORSES: Picadilly (Paul Chater) winner of the 1884 Champions Cup won. Hero (David Sassoon) 3 times successive winner of the Champions' Cup from 1890.Silky Light (Eric Moller) the fastest Shanghai horse to win the Hong Kong Champion's Cup and Hong Kong Triple Crown. Wheatcroft (Jack Liddel) three times winner of the Champions' Cup in the 1920s
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
organization for Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
When the first horse race meeting in Shanghai took place during 1848 the Shanghai Race Club was known as the Race Committee of the Shanghai Recreation Club. In 1855 it became a Club. In 1862 it detached itself from the Shanghai Recreation Club to become an independent body. The Shanghai Race Club closed down in 1941 and reformed in 2006.
RACETRACK: The Shanghai Race Club owned the Race track
Race track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
in the center of Shanghai. The park at The People's Square
People's Square (Shanghai)
People's Square is a large public square adjacent to Nanjing Road in the Huangpu District of Shanghai, China. People's Square is the site of Shanghai's municipal government headquarter building, and is used as the standard reference point for measurement of distance in the Shanghai...
in Shanghai is still in the shape of the original track. This racetrack, opened in 1862, was the 4th race track owned by The Shanghai Race Club.
RACECLUB BUILDING: The Race Club building with its imposing tower was the most sumptuous of any such club in the world. The Grand Stand was reputedly the largest in the world, and probably was. The turf
Lawn
A lawn is an area of aesthetic and recreational land planted with grasses or other durable plants, which usually are maintained at a low and consistent height. Low ornamental meadows in natural landscaping styles are a contemporary option of a lawn...
was described as "smooth as a billiard table".
The original Race Club building still stands on the side of the park at the People's Square. It is now The Art Museum.
RACEDAYS: The Spring and Autumn races days in Shanghai organized by the Shanghai Race Club were so popular as to become holidays. These 2 race meetings were described as "The Grand Festivals of Shanghai"
PROMINENT CLUB MEMBERS: Dr. William Jardine
William Jardine
William Jardine may refer to:* William Jardine , Scottish surgeon and merchant, one of the founders of Jardine, Matheson & Co.* Sir William Jardine, 7th Baronet , Scottish naturalist...
(Tartan Stables), John Dent (Scarlet Stables), Thomas Chaye Beale
Thomas Chaye Beale
Thomas Chaye Beale was a Scottish merchant operating in the Far East during the 19th century.-Biography:Thomas Chaye was a cousin of opium trader and merchant Daniel Beale and his brother Thomas Beale. As early as 1826 he was a partner in the trading firm of Magniac & Co. in Canton, China...
(Clerk of the Course), William Keswick, Sir John Keswick. Henry Morriss, Ada Law, Alexander Dallas, Frank Dallas, George Dallas, Coll McLean, Sir Paul Chater, John MacGregor (Strath Stables), David Sassoon "Morn" (Leviathan Stables), Sir Victor Sassoon "Eve" , Sir Raymond Toeg "Sir John", Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody was a successful Parsi businessman in Hong Kong.-Biography:He was born in Bombay and moved to Hong Kong around 1860...
, J.D. Humphreys, Henry Sylva, Sir Ellis Kadoorie, C. R. "Chuck" Burkill, A.W. "Bertie" Burkhill (Chairman of the Stewards 1927), Edward Ezra. Jack Liddell, Billie Liddle + Vera Mc Bain (We Two Stables), Major Frank Sutton, Lambert Dumbar (Bay Stables),Eric Moller, A.S. Henchman "Hench", Eric Cumine, Byron Constable (Current Chairman)
TROPHYS AND CUP: In the 1860s the most notable trophy was the Champions Stakes, a forced entry race for all winners during the 2 day race meeting. In 1884 it was renamed the Mafoo and Champions' race. IN 1927 it was renamed the Shaforce Challenge Cup and Champions' Stakes.
NOTABLE HORSES: Picadilly (Paul Chater) winner of the 1884 Champions Cup won. Hero (David Sassoon) 3 times successive winner of the Champions' Cup from 1890.Silky Light (Eric Moller) the fastest Shanghai horse to win the Hong Kong Champion's Cup and Hong Kong Triple Crown. Wheatcroft (Jack Liddel) three times winner of the Champions' Cup in the 1920s