Records set as royals visited
History was made 70 years ago
Glasgow Fair weekend of 1947 was a record-breaking one at Hamilton Park Racecourse for two major reasons.
On the Friday, July 18, Hamilton Park created racing history by staging the first evening meeting ever to be held in Britain. The first race was won by W. Nevett, riding Mr G. Cullington’s ‘Culroy’.
The following day, an estimated crowd of 21,000 flocked to the racecourse for a visit by King George VI and Princess Margaret Rose, but the real focal point was Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, who were making one of their first public appearances and the latter of whom few people in Scotland had ever seen before.
It was stated in the Hamilton Advertiser that ‘it is probable that the attendance record for Hamilton Park will have been smashed’.
The Royal parade route went through Motherwell Cross and through Hamilton Cross, on their way to Cadzow Street and the racecourse.
In spite of the fact that it was an informal visit, many houses and shops on the parade route were decorated with flags and bunting, with cheering crowds and flag-waving children.
On Tuesday Hamilton Park will celebrate the 70th anniversary of their milestone as the racecourse prepares for the richest night of the year – the £114,000 John Smith’s Mid-fair Friday Racenight, featuring the £42,000 Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Glasgow Stakes (Class 1) on the Friday.
It will also see the introduction of the Glasgow Trophy, which will be presented to the winner of the featured race.
The first race at the 1947 Hamilton Park Summer Meeting, as it was called, was the Glasgow Plate, which was won by 5/4 shot Culroy.
Interestingly, Lord Hamilton of Dalzell was named as an Acting Steward for the 1947 meet. The title was held by Gavin George Hamilton, 2nd Baron Hamilton of Dalzell at the time, and it is known that the peer took a keen interest in racing at Hamilton Park, investing personally and financially in the course.
Vivien Currie, chief executive at Hamilton Park Racecourse, said: “Evening racing forms an integral part of the modern racing calendar at venues across the world, and we are incredibly proud that it was a concept forged right here at Hamilton Park Racecourse.
“As the industry has grown and adapted to new trends and demands, the evening fixture has evolved.”
Itisprobablethattheattendancerecordwillhavebeensmashed