Thunderous galloping and the Queen’s first win: Salford's forgotten racecourse
Amongst the fog and mist in Kersal was a race track, loved across Britain, that was able to attract racing's finest — and even royalty.
In this week’s newsletter, we dig into the furlong-deep history of Salford’s long lost racecourses and the memories shared on the famous but lost racetrack.
Also: Coronation Street being filmed in Irlam; the children’s bus ride that has been given Bee Network branding; the brand new grassroots creative studio at Salford Precinct.
If you enjoyed it please forward this newsletter to someone who might enjoy it. Got a tip? Let us know at Now@Salford.ac.uk
Thunderous galloping, noisy chattering and the Queen’s first win - Salford's forgotten racecourse
With Cheltenham Festival gearing up for next week we wanted to take a step back in time to look at the history one of Britain’s leading racecourses — in Salford.
The famous Castle Irwell track, otherwise known as the Manchester Racecourse, had various locations across the city before finding its home on the meander of the River Irwell.
The first race was recorded in 1687, with a grandstand built in 1777 to accommodate the thousands of people coming to the course to enjoy the spectacle and — for some fortunate spectators — winnings.
The location was the home of racing in the Manchester area until 1847. However, closure of Kersal Moor did not stop the city’s love for horse racing, the course to the other side of the river to Castle Irwell, which we know today as the flood defences of Kersal Wetlands. From there the track moved to to New Barns, a location that was later bought by the Manchester Canal Ship Company and is now commonly known as Dock 9 at Salford Quays, before it finally settled on the meander of the Irwell on Littleton Road.
And its chosen location became successful. The growth in popularity meant that by the 1930s a decision was made to build a hotel on the Littleton Road, known as The Racecourse, which provided accommodation for racers and punters.
Salford local Neil Taylor, continued: “My Gran lived in Littleton Road towards Kersal, she said the jockeys used to stay in Racecourse Hotel and the November handicap was run at the course.
“Visibility was often poor due to mist off the Irwell.”
And while the popularity of the course continued growing, it was not until Friday 13 July 1951 that the racecourse made history — becoming England’s first evening meeting, attracting a large crowd despite the unrelenting Salford weather.
And with the interest around the area, even royalty could not resist a trip to Salford for the races, as in June 1952, Queen Elizabeth II saw her first victory as the newly crowned monarch.
With a positive reputation the venue drew thousands of spectators, who gathered to cheer on their horses as they entered the final straight. Although the course closed in 1963, it still holds a distant memory for people in the community, with even some still holding onto their distaste to the name of the famed track, as Paul Mcbride says: “Should never have been allowed to be called Manchester Racecourse!”
This opinion was shared by John Mason, who shared memories at the racecourse with his Dad when he was younger, he says: “True, it should never had been Manchester; it’s squarely in Salford.
“I lived just five mins walk from it and often went with my dad to the races that was until I had a big win of £140. My Dad was not pleased!
“He always fancied himself as having a good knowledge of form, yet that day he gave me £1.00 and told me to follow his lead, which I did not — I picked horses I liked by their name not form!
“And though I could not place a bet on my own, my dad placed it for me each time — tut tutting my choice — so at the end of the day my dad went home with no wins while I had £100.”
“Great times at a great course.”
And these memories are not unique. Rob Woolfe, who had a strong passion for the course, recalls: “I recall as a very young kid, watching the racing from Bury New Road near the fire station with my Dad's binoculars.”
The course, despite being most well-known for its racing, became a place for spending time with family, as Alan J Taylor continues: “My Papa took me once I would be 7 or 8, I think. Told me to pick a horse, I remember number 4.
“After the race he gave me some money he said it had won!! No idea if it did.”
And it was these family memories that have held strong in the minds of Salfordians. John Riley shares memories of his mum working at the course.
He said: “I remember (aged 4 or 5) my mum working there on something called the Tote, I think it was where people paid money to bet on a horse.
“She worked all over the country. One day Doncaster, another Skipton. They were picked up by coach and group of mums set off for the day. I am approaching 80 but I can still remember waving her off as she went to places I had never heard of until she was departing.”
Someone who would have had very fond memories of the track was the famous Salford-born jockey Stan Mellor, who died in 2020.
Mellor grew up minutes away from the Castle Irwell site before moving to Cheshire at the age of 15, where he rode professionally was the first jockey to ride 1,000 winners — a record that remained unbeaten for 12 years.
The Salford-raised star was also a Champion Jockey three years in a row from 1960 to 1962. His contributions to sport in Salford was commemorated when he had a street after him following his death in the new Castle Irwell housing estate.
His widow Elaine said in 2021: “Stan had many successes at Manchester where he always enjoyed riding, not least because he would have huge support from the crowd.”
And this was true, with Stan getting a movie-type ending, as he rode his last winner in Salford at the Castle Irwell race course in 1963 in front of the local crowd: a true homecoming and farewell of a champion.
However, despite the memories and poetic endings at the racecourse, the track itself met with an ignominious end.
As financial issues began to build up following the redevelopment of the grandstand, in 1963, the shareholders sold the site. The owners hosted their final race on November 9 that year in the Goodbye Consolation Plate, which was won by the legendary jockey Lester Piggott, and watched by 20,000 spectators.
Following the closure of the racecourse, the site was put up for sale, most of it was bought by Salford University in 1973.
However, the Environment Agency took over the site, in a £11.75 million scheme to protect homes in Salford from flooding. The site became the Kersal Wetlands, which were completed in March 2018. Salford local and owner of Betfred, Fred Done, has brought over five hundred properties to the area through his development company Salboy.
And after years of development and changes to the land the Manchester Racecourse is now something of forgotten memory, however as local resident Jason Baybut shares: “A true Salford person would never call it Manchester Races, it’s Salford Races!”
Grassroots creative studio to open at the site of former Salford Precinct bank
A new creative studio space aimed at grassroots creatives is set to open at the site of a former bank at Salford Precinct.
The new space will be opened by GRIT Studios, a Stockport-based not-for-profit community interest company. The company was formed in 2021 as a union of local artists looking to work affordably within their community.
The Salford space is set to be the third facility opening across Greater Manchester, with existing studios in Manchester and Stockport hosting 48 artists in 2024. Read more here.
Coronation Street film police chase scene in Irlam
Coronation Street are set to film scenes at Higher Irlam Social Club, Turner Avenue, Cutnook Lane and Moorfield Road on March 10.
The scenes shot in Higher Irlam Social Club are to be shot between 8am and 1pm predominantly taking place in the beer garden and side alley towards the private car park. Read more here.
Former Pendleton theatre student to star as Hamilton in the national tour
A former Salford theatre student has landed the lead role in the UK and Ireland tour of Hamilton, marking the journey from local talent to rising star.
Marley Fenton, from the Pendleton School of Theatre has begun his impressive journey in the arts after landing the latest milestone role. Read more here
Children’s soft play centre in Swinton launches Bee Network branded bus ride
A children’s soft play centre has celebrated the buses coming back to public control by rebranding its own bus ride to the Bee Network yellow.
The yellow branding will transport the ride into the Bee Network livery to promote the offer of discounting entry fee for families who visit Playkidds in Swinton. Read more here.
What’s On in Salford this week
🎭 The production of That Can’t Have Happened! is set to be performed at the Kings Arms from Wednesday 19 March until Sunday 23 March. Directed by David Thacker theatre production is set to give a voice to domestic abuse survivors using their own words. Find out more here.
🎸 Two local bands are set to entertain audiences this month as they come together on stage of a social club. The bands MSIX and S2T will join together and appear at the De La Salle Sports and Social Club on Saturday 8 March. Find out more here.
⚽ Salford City are set to play Crewe Alexandra this weekend at the Peninsula Stadium, as they aim to lift themselves back into the race for promotion. You can cheer them on at the stadium this weekend at the 3pm kickoff. Find out more here.
Our photo of the week: Salford Crescent Station 1989
In its early days, Salford Crescent Station had few passengers and was closed on Sundays; 36 years later it has a completely new identity and neighbours the Peel Park campus.
Salford Crescent Station is on the busy Manchester to Preston & Wigan lines, with almost 1.2 million entries and exits over 2023 and 2024.
And with the station due to receive a third platform — with several weekend closures throughout March and occasional weekends in April, May and September planned — the station will look very different to the one seen in 1989.
Thank you for reading
All our journalism is written by people working, studying and living in Salford – for the people of Salford. We'll be adding more exclusive writing to future editions. If you value local journalism sign up: it’s free, easy and we’ll never share your data.