Duchesne Record | 1913-07-18 | Page 4 | Origin of Steeplechasing

Origin of chasing Tho The Grand National tho though gh the chief event of or the in world was not established until 1839 because the steeplechase is a late development de tie of ot horse racing introduced about a century ago from Ireland treland It U I wan originally as the name implies 8 a cross-country cross contest between hunting men who made some distant church steeple their winning post The earlI earliest ear ear- lI host liest st recorded match of or the kind was wall run In 1 1752 from Buttevant church to the spire of ot St. St Leger Leser church in cou coun county J ty Cork But what is considered the the tb first regular steeplechase followed followell the festivity of or an Irish hunt dinner dinner- In 1803 Westminster Gazette