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Abel Vivian
Abel Vivian
1812 - 1875
1812 - 1875
As Brian Lee writes in his 1980 book ‘The History of Cardiff Racecourse’: “In Victorian times South Wales racegoers were well provided for with meetings at places like Abergavenny, Monmouth, Newport, Cowbridge and Cardiff to choose from.”
As Brian Lee writes in his 1980 book ‘The History of Cardiff Racecourse’: “In Victorian times South Wales racegoers were well provided for with meetings at places like Abergavenny, Monmouth, Newport, Cowbridge and Cardiff to choose from.”
Of those, Cardiff was the most important. Its racecourse, located at Ely, staged the Welsh Grand National from 1895 until its closure in 1939.
Of those, Cardiff was the most important. Its racecourse, located at Ely, staged the Welsh Grand National from 1895 until its closure in 1939.
The Sport of Kings had first come to Ely in 1855. Prior to that, its racecourse was on the other side of the town at Heath Farm. Brian Lee observes: “On the Cardiff map of 1840 the racecourse appears to be almost as big as the two parishes that at the time made up Cardiff.”
The Sport of Kings had first come to Ely in 1855. Prior to that, its racecourse was on the other side of the town at Heath Farm. Brian Lee observes: “On the Cardiff map of 1840 the racecourse appears to be almost as big as the two parishes that at the time made up Cardiff.”
It was there in 1836 that the 1841 Grand National winner Charity (variously described as a mare or a gelding) had won his (or her) first races at Heath Farm, the Usk Stakes and a hurdle race.
It was there in 1836 that the 1841 Grand National winner Charity (variously described as a mare or a gelding) had won his (or her) first races at Heath Farm, the Usk Stakes and a hurdle race.
Continues Brian: “Ely racecourse owed its beginnings to the sporting land owners and hunting folk of Glamorgan, like the Homfrays, the Williamses, the Lewises, the Lindsays and the Copes who were, in time, to form the nucleus of the Cardiff Race Club.”
Continues Brian: “Ely racecourse owed its beginnings to the sporting land owners and hunting folk of Glamorgan, like the Homfrays, the Williamses, the Lewises, the Lindsays and the Copes who were, in time, to form the nucleus of the Cardiff Race Club.”
Perhaps he could also have included the Vivian family, although their presence predated Ely by several years. Three Vivian brothers were active at Heath Farm in the 1840s, at which two rode winners there.
Perhaps he could also have included the Vivian family, although their presence predated Ely by several years. Three Vivian brothers were active at Heath Farm in the 1840s, at which two rode winners there.
Wright’s Steeplechace Calendar 1836-1844, records the results of a meeting at Cardiff on 10 February 1843, when the Cardiff Handicap Steeplechase, a sweepstakes, was won by The Duke, ridden by C. Vivian (first name unknown, possibly Charles). Only three ran, with Wright’s describing the contest as “a good race”.
Wright’s Steeplechace Calendar 1836-1844, records the results of a meeting at Cardiff on 10 February 1843, when the Cardiff Handicap Steeplechase, a sweepstakes, was won by The Duke, ridden by C. Vivian (first name unknown, possibly Charles). Only three ran, with Wright’s describing the contest as “a good race”.
Abel Vivian and his brother (C. Vivian) both rode at Cardiff Great Heath on Monday, March 27, 1843. C. Vivian rode two winners, Mountain (above) and Whalebone, which had a bloodless when easily beating the crippled Ragged Jack, which raced with its near hind leg bandaged.
Abel Vivian and his brother (C. Vivian) both rode at Cardiff Great Heath on Monday, March 27, 1843. C. Vivian rode two winners, Mountain (above) and Whalebone, which had a bloodless when easily beating the crippled Ragged Jack, which raced with its near hind leg bandaged.
Later on the same card, Abel Vivian, won the *Forced Handicap Hurdle on Montezuma, beating four rivals.
Later on the same card, Abel Vivian, won the *Forced Handicap Hurdle on Montezuma, beating four rivals.
The following month, their fortunes reversed, when Abel again won the Forced Handicap - again on Montezuma - whilst his brother fell from Mountain, breaking his collarbone.
The following month, their fortunes reversed, when Abel again won the Forced Handicap - again on Montezuma - whilst his brother fell from Mountain, breaking his collarbone.
*A ‘forced handicap’, also known as a ‘beaten handicap’, was a race run on the last day of a meeting in which all those horses that had run previously at the meeting without winning and were still sound were supposed to compete. The ‘force’ was not quite literal, because an owner could make payment to avoid running – presumably if he didn’t agree with the weight allocated to his horse.
*A ‘forced handicap’, also known as a ‘beaten handicap’, was a race run on the last day of a meeting in which all those horses that had run previously at the meeting without winning and were still sound were supposed to compete. The ‘force’ was not quite literal, because an owner could make payment to avoid running – presumably if he didn’t agree with the weight allocated to his horse.
Tuesday June 18 1850. Abel Vivian rides a double at Old Passage Racecourse, Bristol.
In 1846, Abel Vivian lived at 18, Charter Square, Bristol. His weight then was 9st 7lb.
In 1846, Abel Vivian lived at 18, Charter Square, Bristol. His weight then was 9st 7lb.
He became Clerk of the Course at Swansea and Mumbles races. Later, he became landlord of the Mumbles Hotel.
He became Clerk of the Course at Swansea and Mumbles races. Later, he became landlord of the Mumbles Hotel.
Born on 29 September, 1812, at Hazlebury Bryan, Dorset, Abel Vivian died on 18 January 1875 at the *Elms Hotel, Mumbles, Swansea, after a lingering illness. In those days, a 'lingering illness' was a euphemism for consumption (tuberculosis).
Born on 29 September, 1812, at Hazlebury Bryan, Dorset, Abel Vivian died on 18 January 1875 at the *Elms Hotel, Mumbles, Swansea, after a lingering illness. In those days, a 'lingering illness' was a euphemism for consumption (tuberculosis).
He left “under £200”.
He left “under £200”.
*Ancestry gives his place of death as nearby Gowerston.
*Ancestry gives his place of death as nearby Gowerston.
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