Etymological Hill Of Goats And Cricket Games

Craigengower Cricket Club (CCC) is the 2nd oldest cricket club besides the June 1851 formed Hong Kong Cricket Club.

1894, Craigengower Cricket Club was founded by a School Principal Mr. W. D. Braidwood.

He named the club from the building ‘Craigengower‘ which housed his school.

He was a Scot which probably explains the source of the name.

Craigengower means “the Hill of Goats” in Gaelic, pertaining to the Gaels, a Celtic language native to Scotland.

The area in the north-east corner of Happy Valley was the secondary site after moving from the original ground at Bonham Road.

Historical Track For Ponies And Horse Races

In Happy Valley racing, the small course and the pear shape of the track had always made some of the starts awkward.

Among these, the Five Furlong and Six Furlong posts were both at sharp bends.

1901, HKJC obtained permission from the Government to start the Six Furlong races just in front of the Craigengower Cricket Club previous pavilion entrance.

1930, the race book contained a map of the course showing this tangent extension.

It gave the ponies a straight run across where the previously Hong Kong Football Club’s bowling green, and across what is now Sports Road, directly up to to The Black Rock, then entering the Village Bend.

The Five Furlong races could then start on Sports Road.

When the Football Club built a matshed stadium, the Six Furlong starts could not be seen from the Jockey Club stands.

A tall flagpole was erected near the Craigengower pavilion to signal when the ponies were off.

1931, with the increasing demands of Cricket, Football, Lawn Tennis, Lawn Bowls and Baseball, the Government’s permission for this variation of the track was withdrawn.

HIGHLIGHTS

SUMMARY

1980-05-07 came the inaugural race of Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup at the Shatin racecourse.

It was also the only trophy event held on sand track in Happy Valley.

Different classes, distances and locations have been raced yearly.

REFERENCE

1981-04-04 SHAMROCK, a Class 6 horse won the 2230 meter in Happy Valley.

1983-11-20 PACKSATER, a top class sprinter won the 1000 meter in Sha Tin.

1994-01-01, HKJC record still shown its former Chinese translation before it has been changed to a new one, though Craigengower remains unchanged.

1999-01-27, thereafter the trophy events have been held in Happy Valley evening races.

EXTERNAL LINK

Craigengower Cricket Club Syndicate

Craigengower Cricket Club Official Web