Earliest meeting: Wednesday 8th April 1846
Final meeting: Wednesday 8th April 1846
The tiny Norfolk village of Colton, and its near neighbour Marlingford, lie to the west of Norwich and were both previously church parishes within their own right. In the middle of the 19th century Colton hosted a race meeting for the Norfolk and Norwich Steeplechase Group on Wednesday 8th April 1846. Previously the meetings had been staged at Branham Broom, but there were some objections from members of that parish and the meeting was switched at the last minute to Colton. The course started in a field owned by Mr F Ives and continued over country chosen specially because it abounded with difficult ditches and hedges, and headed towards Barnham Broom. The opening Sweepstake was won by Mr G Blake’s Regalia who beat Bribery and Governor, while the Hurdle Race went to Mr Peel’s Captain Spry at the expense of Maple and Obelisk. After racing Lord Suffield hosted a dinner at the Royal Hotel. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Lord Suffield, Mr G Blake |
| Principal Races |
Barnham Broom Sweepstakes, Colton Hurdle, Colton Sweepstake |
Wednesday 8th April 1846
Barnham Broom Sweepstake
1. Little John, aged horse owned by Mr Beaumont
2. Novice, aged horse owned by Mr Gowing
3. Shamrock, aged horse owned by Lord Suffield |
| The final meeting took place on Wednesday 8th April 1846. |
| Course today |
Starting in a field owned by Mr F Ives and winding on towards Barnham Broom. |
| 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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| Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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