Earliest meeting: Wednesday 30th March 1881
Final meeting: Tuesday 29th April 1902
The Essex village of Heybridge is located close to the town of Maldon on the River Blackwater. In the early days Heybridge was called Tidwalditun, and on the outskirts of the village was an estate called Champion Lodge. In the latter part of the 19th century the Lodge was owned by a colourful character called Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny who had a very wide range of interests and lived life to the full. One of his primary interests was horse racing and in 1881 he came up with the novel idea of building his own racecourse. It is a testament to his drive and energy that he first mooted the idea in early March 1881 and by the end of the month he was hosting his first meeting. The racecourse, spread across his estate, extended over a mile in circumference and consisted of 6 fences. He had the entrepreneurship to get a local builder to build him a Grandstand for free on the understanding that the builder could build a second one from which the builder could derive an income from fee paying guests at the races. The inaugural meeting of the grandly named ‘Champion Lodge Hunt and Military Steeplechases’ took place on 30th March 1881. There was a full 6 race programme which included the Farmer’s Cup, Hunt Cup, Military Cup, Ladies Cup and a Consolation Steeplechase, as well as a Match. Whilst Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny rode Cartridge in the Match, and was defeated by Sam ridden by Mr Lawrence, his wife, Lady de Crespigny won the Ladies Cup with Wild George. Races continued each year in the Spring, either in late March or early April, until 1889 when there was a break. Three further meetings took place at various intervals, one in 1892, then in 1901 before a final meeting on 29th April 1902.
1st April 1884
Champion Lodge Hunt Cup
1. Pat, ridden by Billy Morris
Champion Lodge Consoltaion
1. Jack ridden by Mr Rodwell
Champion Lodge Ladies’ Cup
1. Lady Alice, owned by Mrs Reid and ridden by Mr Fellowes
Loyal Suffolk Hussars’ Cup
Sporran walked over
Champion Lodge Farmers’ Cup
1. Architect owned by Mr Rust
In 1885 the Champion Lodge Hunt and Military Steeplechases were held on 14th March when the weather was good and the attendance large.
14th March 1885
Point to Point Steeplechase
1. Kaliph
Saturday 14th March 1885
Champion Lodge Hunt Cup
1. Hochheimer, owned by Mr Cooke and ridden by Mr Rodwell
2. Shylock, owned by Mr J W Williams
3. Sporran, owned and ridden by Sir Claude Champion De Crespigny
Betting : Evens Sporran, 2/1 Hochheimer, 3/1 Shylock
Farmers’ Plate
1. Architect owned by Mr Rust and ridden by Sir Claude Champion De Crespigny
Hurdle Race Plate
1. Elmina ridden by Tyrell De Crespigny
United Service Cup
1. Maryx owned by Mr W Cobbett and ridden by Mr J Cobbett
2. Coldstream ridden by Sir Claude Champion De Crespigny
Consolation Steeplechase
1. Sporran ridden by Sir Claude Champion De Crespigny
The 1886 Champion Lodge meeting fell on 1st April and comprised a 6 race card.
1st April 1886
Ladies’ Cup
1. Problem owned by Mr Barkley
2. Forester ridden by Sir Claude Champion De Crespigny
Hunt Cup
1. Paleface owned by Captain Henderson and ridden by Mr Purefoy
2. Sporran ridden by Sir Claude Champion De Crespigny
Champion Lodge Cup
1. Telemachus ridden by Mr Tippler
2. Flushing ridden by Sir Claude Champion De Crespigny
Selling Hunters’ Hurdle Race Plate
1. Telemachus ridden by Mr Tippler
2. Ariosto ridden by Sir Claude Champion De Crespigny
After a lapse in racing at Champion Lodge of almost 10 years racing returned in 1901. The revival of the Champion Lodge Steeplechases saw the return of the Champion Lodge Cup which Sir Claude won on Major Henry Shelley Dalbiac’s Kozak.
The final meeting took place on 29th April 1902.
The Champion Lodge estate has now been renamed Totham Lodge and is an old peoples home.
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
