One of the most famous races in the Horse Racing calendar is the Derby. But the origins of the race are to be found here at Leasowe Castle. The first "Gentleman's Racecourse" was established here. The actual year is unknown but must have been soon after 1593, when Leasowe Castle was erected. William Webb, writing in 1662, refers to the fairlands or plains upon the shores of the sea which for fitness for such a purpose allure the gentlemen and others oft to appoint great matches and venture no small sums in trying the swiftness of their horses.

In the autumn of 1682, the race meeting held here had an illustrious visitor and jockey in the person of the ill-starred Duke of Monmouth who, attended by many of his friends, was on a tour courting popularity in this part of England. On Sunday 10th September he arrived in Wallasey. Next day Monmouth went to Wallasey, and the day following he was joined there by the Mayor with a troop of forty horsemen, and a large concourse of people from Chester eager to see the running horses, and the Duke. The First Plate, value £60, was won by the Duke riding his own horse. Monmouth offered to lay £1000 on his horse, but no one would take him. Later, the Duke had two foot races with Mr Cutts of Cambridge, the first stripped, the second in his boots, both of which he won. The Duke, after the race, crossed over to Liverpool with his party. When the news came to Chester that he had steered his own horse to victory at Wallasey (though some hinted that it was by the contrivance of the gentlemen who rode against him) the populace were immensely elated, bonfires were lighted, the church bells rung, and nothing was heard in the streets but shouts of A Monmouth! A Monmouth! The Mayors house was illuminated and the Duke and his friends were entertained right royally.

In the Eaton Hall Account Books the following entry occurs:

1st September, 1696. Peter Pemberton, a bill of charges att Wallasey at Juglers match, £1.12.6
September, 1696. Paid a bill of charges at Wallasey when Meale ran with ye Lord Ross his white horse Davies.
11th September, 1682, Monday. On Monday mid-day he started for Wallasey to be present at the races next day.

The course, according to a map which still exists, seems to have extended for nearly five miles, running from the village out towards the Castle and back again, finishing near the present Wallasey Station.

 As the races were run in heats, and a win could only be obtained by the first horse leading throughout the last 240 yards, it sometimes happened that the distance had to be traversed two or even three times. Forty years later the popularity of Wallasey had so far increased that it is said that the most considerable stake in the kingdom was run for over this course. The names of the winners give some idea of the importance of the event. We find among them the Duke of Devonshire winning in 1725. About this time Lord Molyneux transferred his training stud to Wallasey. Lord Gower was a winner in 1723 and 1730, the Duke of Ancaster in 1728, and Sir Richard Grosvenor in 1724, 2726 and 1727. Blundell of Crosby, under the date February, 1727, records in his Diary (p. 223): Coz. Butler went to Wallosy Race where Sir Richard Grosvenors horse beat a Black Horse of My Lord Molyneuxes. Was this a favourite that gave the name to the Black Horse Inn which on a carved stone bears the initials and "D with W.M. beneath it  then 1722" and was it built to accommodate the gentlemen and others referred to by Webb?

About 1732 the more important events were discontinued, though for some years afterwards a race was run at Newmarket called The Wallasey Stakes. But if the great race was no longer run on the Leasowes, other events took place there during the latter half of the eighteenth century, as is evident from some inscriptions cut on the old door of the Racing Stable which stood in Wallasey Village, on the site of Sandiways Road. When it was built is not known, but probably between 1600 and 1642, possibly by William, sixth Earl of Derby. Soon after the latest of the dates recorded on the old door, namely 5 April 1785, Earl Grosvenor sold the stables and the adjoining land to one John Zewill, whose ownership was commemorated by the initials M and IZ beneath then the date 1787 cut in stone over one of the doorways. Here he and his wife are said to have lived for many years. The place afterwards came into the possession of someone of the name of Wotherspoon, who sold it to Mr Barton, who inhabited part of the house and intended, it is said, to repair the whole of it, but did not owing to the expense it would involve. At that time it was known as Sandfield Hall popularly called the Kings House. After Mr Bartons death in 1851 it was allowed to fall into decay until demolished in 1895. The old oak was utilised in building some of the houses on the site, but the old door above referred to was presented to the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, and afterwards housed in the Liverpool Museum, only to be destroyed during the war by bombing. It was given by Mr Madders, one of the owners of the property, in 1892. It was an iron-studded oak door, showing marks of four horseshoes. In the centre of each of the marks the following inscriptions were cut into the wood: 

Black Slave won 200 guins at Walazey 1778

Ingram Esqr. Tripod won 50 at Conway 176 - Ingram Esqr. Lady Day won 200 gs. at Preston 1767.

Smiling Molly won 5 Walazey 1770 - 50 at Preston

Upon each mark, until within a few years of 1893, a small, beautifully-made racing horseshoe was nailed. All that is left in Wallasey to remind us of its bygone glories as a racing centre is the Black Horse Inn. The racing stables have passed away, and even Jockey Lane has been rechristened Sandcliffe Road. Williamsons Liverpool Advertiser for August 1792 mentions that some horse races were to be run at Seacombe on August 20, 21 and 22. Three prizes were offered of £10 each, the second a subscription purse by five gentlemen of £10 each, and the third a sweepstake by ten gentlemen of £5 each. All horses to be entered at the house of Mr Smith, Seacombe (Lord of the Manor of Poulton maybe ?).

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