Earliest meeting: Friday 27th July 1823
Final meeting: July 1829
The Cumbrian village of Caldbeck enjoys a location within the Lake District National Park and boasts a population of less than 1000. It lies just 2 kilometres from the village of Hesket Newmarket, which seems an appropriate name because Caldbeck once had its own races. The nearest larger towns are Wigton, Cockermouth and Carlisle, the last of which still has an impressive, well-supported racecourse. The renowned racing historian, John Fairfax-Blakeborough recorded a meeting at Caldbeck racecourse in July 1829, commenting, 'Caldbeck races and wrestling were staged on the old racecourse at Faulds Brow and were a great success. A band of music paraded the course, and the meeting was of first-rate description. Hound trailing was quite popular at these village gatherings. A Bolton bitch won the sovereign, beating some of the best trail hounds in the county. The footrace for a sovereign was won by John Hawell, of Dowling, a noted runner named Dixon, from Greystoke, being second. There were 48 entries for the wrestling, Edward Nicholson, Hesket-new-Market, carrying off the prize. After the sports of the day, fighting and other fashionable amusements commenced. The ballrooms were well attended, and afforded a fine display of youth and beauty.' An earlier meeting was held on the same course on Friday 27th July 1823 when the principal race was won by a horse owned by Mr Hodgson from Wigtown, whilst the wrestling was won by Mr Watson. |
Races continued at least for the next 30 years, although by then there were no horses involved. The 2-day meeting at Faulds Brow took place on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd July 1859, consisting of sprint races, foot races, hurdle races and a knockout wrestling competition. |
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 |
