Earliest meeting: Thursday 26th March 1868
Final meeting: Wednesday 27th December 1871
The North Cotswold Hunt was established by the Earl of Coventry in 1868 and he became the First Master of the Hunt. Foxhunting in the area certainly dates back to as early as 1772 when the hunting grounds of the Earls of Berkeley were used to promote the sport. Once the Earl of Coventry had established the hunt it was a natural progression for horse racing to also be organised. That inaugural two day meeting was held on Cheltenham racecourse on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th March 1868, opening with the Borough Plate which was won by Colenso for Mr Green. The prestigious Prince of Wales Steeplechase went to Havelock for Mr J Wood, while Lord Coventry celebrated success in the Marle Hill Plate with Balder. Meetings continued for three more years while the Earl was in charge, ending on Wednesday 27th December 1871. By 1873 the Earl of Coventry had stood down as Master of the Hounds.

Thursday 26th March 1868
The Prince of Wales Steeplechase Plate
1. Havelock, aged horse owned by Mr J Wood
2. Legerdemain, 6 year old owned by Mr Medhurst
3. Meanwood, aged horse owned by Mr Gough

The only recorded meeting took place on Wednesday 27th December 1871.

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

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