3-021-096 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Cork Park Races: the Grand National Steeplechase, 1869. 'The races held in the park at Cork [in Ireland], on the 17th and 18th May, were in some degree spoilt by the wet and sloppy condition of the ground; but many thousands of people came to see them on the first day, the weather being then fine. The Grand National Steeplechase, for £200, added to a sweepstakes of £5 each, was the most interesting event. It was contended for by eleven horses, the foremost of which in the race were Mr. Smith's Ranger, Mr. Mansergh's Sea Queen, Mr. Hume's Knockany, Captain M'Craight's Ballindonagh, and Mr. J. D. Whye's Kitten. They made beautiful running, the Sea Queen and Knockany getting the lead; but the Kitten and Ballindonagh took the leap just before going into the run home in quick succession. This Sea Queen and Knockany did not do; and, though they passed the winning-post at the stand as first and second horses, they were afterwards objected to for having failed to do the jump. The stewards met, heard the objection and the grounds for it, and decided that the Kitten had won the race, and that Ballindonagh, who immediately came after her, was second'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.