Accession Number

2015.010

Description

Brown paper card folded in half. Front reads "The Victoria Hunt Club Steeplechases" Subtext: "Official Race Card Saturday November 19th, 1898, at Colwood Park." Front lists Stewards, Starter, Judge and Clerk of the Course and Scales. Inside: a program for four races, 1 every half hour between 2-3:30. In each section the race is named and described (weight, distance, membership requirements) along with a list of the owners, horse and riders. There is nothing printed or written on the reverse side.

Narrative

This is an “Official Race Card” program for The Victoria Hunt Club steeplechases held November 19, 1898 at Colwood Park. The names of several Dunsmuir family members and associates are printed on the card. These include: Hon. Peter O’Reilly (a former BC Gold Commissioner whose daughter Kathleen associated with Dunsmuir daughters); James Dunsmuir, G. A. Kirk (who later married Elizabeth G. Harvey in 1903); H. Burroughes (who married Emily Ellen Dunsmuir in 1886); Roland Stuart (who owned Hatley Park before James Dunsmuir did); a “Miss Dunsmuir” (who owned the horse named “Vanda”); Thomas Pooley; and Mr. Joseph Despard Pemberton, (land surveyor and Rockland neighbour of Joan Olive Dunsmuir of Craigdarroch).

The BC Archives currently holds some records of The Victoria Hunt Club: two race cards; two published sets of Club rules, and; four photographs of Club events. None of these photographs depict an event at Colwood Park. Amateur historians assert that The Victoria Hunt Club used “Colwood Park” in two places. The Steeplechases are believed to have taken place on what are today the 5th 6th fairways of the Royal Colwood Golf Club. The track races are believed to have taken place just east of the present day Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre on Colwood Road.

History of Use

Unknown

Date

November 19 1898

Dimensions

13 x 9.2 cm

Material

Paper

Country of Origin

Canada