Henry Clay bought Piercefield Park, a 1,300-acre estate on the outskirts of Chepstow, in 1861. The family had a shipping business based at Cardiff. Racing took place close by from time to time but it was not until the 1920s that the current racecourse, in the Piercefield grounds, was planned. It was opened in 1926.
Henry’s grandson Johnny Clay was born in 1898. Cricket was his main occupation, beginning as a pace bowler for Monmouthshire. In 1921 he began a long association with Glamorgan as a spin bowler and then captain. Under his leadership they became much more competitive in the County Championship, and as Treasurer helped the club to survive during the depression of the 1930s. John Arlott regarded him as the best spinner in the country but he played only one Test Match for England, wasn’t given a bowl and didn’t have to bat. He played until he was 50, and in his last season his match figures in two games were 10-65 and 9-73. He served on the Glamorgan committee in many capacities until his death in 1973.
He enjoyed racing and hunting, and owned several horses. He was Secretary of the Glamorgan Hunt, and a steward and from 1951 a director of Chepstow Racecourse. He was the joint-owner of Charlie H, the winner of the Welsh National in February 1972.
The Johnny Clay Memorial Handicap Chase began in December 1974. Its final running was in 1994.