Island Life Magazine Ltd October/ November 2012 | Page 94

EQUESTRIAN

Howard Johnson's 'Maletilla', going to post, 1978

Farm. They immediately granted Ashey
Ltd a lease of the ‘Ashey Racecourse’
consisting of 138 acres, for 21 years at an
annual rent of £50. The company also
had the right to admit the general public
on four days each year.
There were Steeplechases at Ashey on
Whit Monday, 1930, and according to
local records there was a large attendance.
The winners' prize money on each of
the races was 70 sovereigns. The second
meeting of the year was due to be held
on August Bank Holiday Monday.
However, the directors of Ashey Ltd,
meeting in London, were concerned that
the apparently successful May meeting
had in fact sustained a substantial loss.
It is recorded that during the crisis
meeting in a hotel room in London a
pageboy took in a telegram, gave it to the
Chairman, and asked ‘any reply Sir?’. The
chairman replied: “Bring Champagne!”
He then told the directors the news that
the Grandstand at Ashey had burnt down
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and it was well insured!
The lease of the course to Ashey Ltd
was surrendered in 1931, but remains of
the Grandstand were not removed until
1942. There was no more racing at Ashey
for over 60 years.
Then in March 1992, the brainchild
of local horseman Harold George with
the consent and co-operation of farmer
Alan Aylett, resulted in the Isle of Wight
Scurry Races being established over
part of the former Ashey racecourse.
These races have now become a regular
feature of Island life, and long may they
continue.
As for the IW Hunt Cup itself, it is
made of solid silver, is very valuable,
and is stored in a very safe place. Maybe
it will be contested again one day, but
almost certainly in a different form. As
for racing on the Island, there is always
the IW National and Ashey Scurry to
look forward to again next year.

These races
have now
become a
regular feature
of Island life,
and long may
they continue.