Earliest meeting: Thursday 2nd May 1861
Final meeting: Wednesday 2nd April 1862
The earliest reference to racing in the Northumbrian town of Berwick-upon-Tweed was in March 1639, while the first results from the town were published in April 1684. Racing continued infrequently in the town until 1860, after which races were organised by the Berwickshire Hunt Committee, with entries being made at the Swan Hotel in Duns. Their first meeting took place on Thursday 2nd May 1861 at Kimmergham Mains when her Grace, the Duchess of Roxburgh was in attendance. The Berwickshire Steeplechase was won by Vintor owned by Captain G Suttie, while the Tally Ho Chase went to Mr R Calder’s King Arthur. The Harriers Hunt Cup was a keenly contested affair which saw Cahirmee beat Brunette and King Arthur. The final meeting took place the next year on Wednesday 2nd April 1862 at Harcase Farm in Duns. The opening Hunt Steeplechase proved particularly beneficial for Donald Campbell who owned the winner Flibbertygibbet and the second Telegraph. The Tallyho Hunt Steeplechase was claimed by Mr J H Darling’s Beulah, while the feature race, the Scottish Grand National Hunt Chase was won by Mr J Usher’s Benvoirlich. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 3 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Her Grace, the Duchess of Roxburgh, Sir G H Boswell, Sir David Baird |
| Principal Races |
Scottish Grand National Hunt Steeplechase |
Wednesday 2nd April 1862
Scottish Grand National Hunt Steeplechase over 4 miles
1. Benvoirlich, bay gelding owned by Mr J Usher
2. Johnny, chestnut gelding owned by Lord C I Kersch
3. Johnny Cope, chestnut gelding owned by Mr H Raens
Betting: 2/1 Benvoirlich, 3/1 The Friar, 5/1 Johnny & Johnny Cope |
| The final meeting took place on Wednesday 2nd April 1862. |
| Course today |
Initially at Kimmergham Mains and then at Harcase Farm, Duns. |
| If you have photos, postcards, racecards. badges, newspaper cuttings or book references about the old course, or can provide a photo of how the ground on which the old racecourse stood looks today, then email johnwslusar@gmail.com |
Much of the information about this course has been found using internet research and is in the public domain. However, useful research sources have been:-
London Illustrated News
Racing Illustrated 1895-1899
The Sporting & Dramatic Illustrated
Northern Turf History Volumes 1-4 by J.Fairfax-Blakeborough
The Sporting Magazine
A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt first published in 1996 ISBN 0 900599 89 8
Racing Calendars which were first published in 1727 |
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ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3
652 pages
774 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0
352 pages
400 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7
180 pages
140 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4
264 pages
235 former courses |
| Copies of the above books are only available by emailing johnwslusar@gmail.com stating your requirements, method of payment (cheque payable to W.Slusar) or Bank transfer, and the address where the book(s) should be sent. |
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