The predecessors of the earls of Angus – the “mormaera”, one level down from the King of the Scots – can be dated back to the early 10th century. The Earldom lasted from 1329 until dying out in 1660, but not before the 11th Earl was created Marquess of Douglas. The eldest sons of the Marquesses were given the courtesy title of Earl of Angus. The 3rd Marquess became the 1st Duke of Douglas as well, but he died without an heir and that courtesy Angus title was inherited by the Dukes of Hamilton.
The Hamiltons have been one of Scotland’s most prominent families. Traditionally the Duke of Hamilton carries the Crown of Scotland during the opening of the Scottish Parliament.
Hamilton Park was the logical home for the Earl of Angus Handicap, which in living memory only appears to have been run between 1969 and 1991 in the month of May, sometimes for apprentices, sometimes a seller. It is perfectly possible that it could have been run during the course’s earlier lives (1782-1811, 1888-1907) prior to its latest revival in 1926.