An historic racing plate worn by ''Bessborough'' winning the Summer Cup at Chepstow's first ever race meeting in August 1926, set on a hallmarked silv

An historic racing plate worn by ''Bessborough'' winning the Summer Cup at Chepstow's first ever race meeting in August 1926, set on a hallmarked silver base, the reverse with black & red silk backing and an easel support for display purposes Highlight of Chepstow's opening two day meeting on 6th & 7th August 1926 was the Summer Cup. It was won by a head by Mr W.S. Lysaght's ''Bessborough'', ridden by J K Robertson at odds of 7 to 1. Lysaght had been one of the ten South Wales gentry and businessman who raised the original finances for the racecourse to open. The August 1926 meeting came pretty close to being the first and last Chepstow fixture. The directors had to guarantee an emergency bank loan to cover unforeseen extra costs and it remained a struggle for the first 10 years or so. The prize money, however, was good and the profile of the racecourse received a boost in 1933 when jockey Gordon Richards won 11 consecutive races at a two day meeting, before being touched off in a close finish in the 12th and concluding race.