Earliest meeting: Saturday 17th April 1863
Final meeting: Thursday 25th April 1878
The Northamptonshire village of Brigstock is surrounded by beautiful countryside and the royal forest of Rockingham. The Manor House in the village is a Grade II listed building and was used as a hunting lodge. A series of steeplechase meetings were held in the village in the 19th century, the first of which took place on Saturday 17th April 1863. The meeting, held in Bradstock Park by permission of the owner Mr W Scarth, could call on hunters from the Pytchley, the Cottesmore and the Fitzwilliam Hunts, and was attended by Earl and Lady Spencer. The opening Farmers’ and Tradesmen’s Stakes was won by Mr John Wood’s Mersey. Racing continued in Bradstock Park until a final meeting on Thursday 25th April 1878. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Patrons |
Earl Spencer, Earl of Cardigan, Earl of Dalkeith |
| Principal races |
Brigstock Open Sweepstake, Brigstock Chase |
Saturday 17th April 1863
Brigstock Open Sweepstakes
1. The Hack, chestnut gelding owned by Mr Hill
2. All’s Well, aged horse owned by Mr Percival
3. Blarney, aged horse owned by Mr Patkin |
| The races were held annually in the village for 9 years, with a final meeting taking place on Thursday 25th April 1878. |
| Course today |
On Bradstock Park owned by Mr W Scarth. |
| 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. |
| ORDER FORM |
| Download an order form |
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| Volume 1 North of Hatfield £19.99 + £4 postage |
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| Volume 2 South of Hatfield £14.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 3 Wales & Scotland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volumes 1 - 4 £54.96 + £5 postage |
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