Earliest meeting: April 1857
Final meeting: Monday 8th April 1861
The Essex village of Bramford, on the River Gipping, lies 3 miles west of Ipswich and enjoys a rich history. It was recorded in the Domesday Book when known as Branfort, and at one time was an important part of the nationwide canal system. Indeed, a lock still remains on the eastern side of the village. In the mid-years of the 19th century the village had its own racecourse where the South Essex Hunt staged their steeplechase and hurdle race meetings. It was famed for holding a horse Fair annually and was also a favourite area for coursing in Victorian times. An inaugural race meeting was held in April 1857, initially at Bramford, organised by the Essex, Sussex and Suffolk Hunt Committees. Racing then lapsed for 4 years until the Essex and Suffolk Hunt Steeplechase Committee decided to return to Bramford in April 1861. In 1857 the Committee had experienced such difficulties agreeing a suitable fixture date, particularly as it was such a brutal winter, but after 3 postponements racing did take place.

No further mention of another meeting was made until February 1861 when some officers of the local 10th Hussars, together with two prominent local gentlemen, met at the White Horse Hotel and began planning the April fixture. The meeting was staged on Monday 8th April 1861 over a well-arranged course, complete with a grandstand affording an excellent view of all of the races. The main Stewards at the event were the Right Honourable Lord Rendlehsam, Sir F Kelly, the MP, and Captain Pedder. The 3 race card began with the Bramford Stakes, continued with the Essex and Suffolk Hunt Steeplechase, and rounded off with the Garrison Stakes. After racing finished an ordinary was served at the White Horse, commencing at 6 o'clock.
Bramford Stakes over 2 miles

1. Kath, bay mare owned and ridden by Mr Wake
2. Harkaway, brown gelding owned and ridden by Mr White
3. Atlas, brown gelding owned by Mr Manning and ridden by Fairweather

Essex and Suffolk Hunt Steeplechase over 3 miles

1. Gaslight, grey mare owned and ridden by Mr White
2. Royal, grey gelding owned by Mr Jacobs and ridden by Gedney
3. Vixen, chestnut mare owned and ridden by Mr Paske

Garrison Stakes over 3 miles

1. Perfection, bay gelding owned by Captain Bennet and ridden by Blake
2. Eve, chestnut mare owned and ridden by Mr White
3. Golightly, bay gelding owned by Mr Mannder

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

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