From the Pat Eddery Collection: a racing plate worn by Crusader Castle in what was the running of the first race around the completed circuit of Ponte

From the Pat Eddery Collection: a racing plate worn by Crusader Castle in what was the running of the first race around the completed circuit of Pontefract racecourse 6th April 1983, set on an onyx ashtray with inscribed plaque Crusader Castle was an American-bred chestnut colt (1979) by The Minstrel out of Mille Fleurs (Jacinto) owned by Mr Paul Mellon and trained by Ian Balding at Kingsclere. Pontefract Racecourse was originally a horseshoe of about 1m4f. But in 1983 they converted it into a full circuit of two miles. Pat Eddery won the very first race over the completed circuit.