Earliest meeting: Wednesday 15th April 1840
Final meeting: Wednesday 15th April 1840
The Buckinghamshire village of Castlethorpe, located some 4 miles north-east of Stony Stratford, is so named because it developed around a castle owned by the Lord of the Manor of neighbouring Hanslope, but the village is now almost subsumed into Milton Keynes. However, almost nothing remains of the castle which was destroyed in 1215, although there is some evidence of the previous existence of a Motte and Bailey castle. The only recorded race meeting in the village took place on Wednesday 15th April 1840 in fields on the outskirts of Castlethorpe, within 2 miles of Wolverton station. Starting in the fields the course descended to a brook and headed for Havesham before meeting a second brook on the way to Hanslope Park. The main race was a match between Mr Dring, a gentleman well connected with the London and Birmingham Railway Company, and local man Mr Wesley. In the end Mr Wesley’s The Queen won the race with ease and the vociferous local crowd were rewarded with hospitality provided by Mr Joseph Bull at his Inn. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr Joseph Bull, Me Wesley, Mr Dring |
| Principal Races |
Castlethorpe Match |
Wednesday 15th April 1840
Castlethorpe Match over 4 miles
1. The Queen, aged mare owned by Mr Wesley
2. Jenny Jones, 4 year old mare owned by Mr Dring |
| The only recorded meeting took place on Wednesday 15th April 1840. |
| Course today |
A 4 mile course starting in fields between Castlethorpe and Wolverton and progressing towards Hanslope Park. |
| 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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