Lot Essay
The Waterloo Cup was the largest annual hare coursing event in Britain. Held in Lancashire from 1836, until 2005, when hare coursing became illegal, it was immensely popular and attended by tens of thousands of spectators in its day. The three day event was known as the blue ribbon of the leash due to its prominence in the hare coursing calendar. Founded by William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton, the Waterloo Cup took place on the Sefton Estate at Altcar. The name of the cup itself derives from Mr William Lynn, the owner of the Waterloo Hotel in Liverpool, who inaugurated the first event and, inspired by the success of the event, also organized the first Grand Liverpool Steeple Chase, still run today as the Grand National. The first race was won by Melanie, a greyhound who belonged to Lord Molyneux, the eldest son of the Earl of Sefton. However the winner who set the standard by which all future champions would be judged was Master McGrath. Owned by Lord Lurgan, Master McGrath was the first popular champion and developed an adoring following, winning the event three times and even being presented to Queen Victoria.