Earliest meeting: Friday 24th June 1881
Final meeting: Saturday 27th June 1885
The South Hampshire area of Chandlers Ford, in the Borough of Eastleigh, is situated on the Winchester to Southampton road. The name of the town derives from two distinct sources, the Ford part coming from nearby Monks Brook ford and the Chandler part from an important local family called the Chaundlers. The town held race meetings in the late 19th century with the first meeting under Grand National rules taking place in June 1882. However, a meeting not under rules had been staged the previous year on Friday 24th June 1881. Although the races only lasted for a 4 year period, there were a number of 2 day meetings held each year, firstly during Whitsun, then a Midsummer meeting and one just before Christmas. The course, complete with grandstand, was located in fields close to the railway station and was described in the local paper as ‘presenting a lovely appearance to those who had come to drink a draught of nature’. The well supported meetings came to an end on Saturday 27th June 1885.
Monday 4th August 1884
Corinthian Hunters Flat race
1. Armiger, chestnut gelding owned by Mr J Grieve
2. Baron Hill, 5 year old owned by Sir C de Crespigny
3. Topsy, aged horse owned by Mr A Soffe
I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below.
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The final meeting took place on Saturday 27th June 1885.
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
