Earliest meeting: Tuesday 4th March 1845
Final meeting: Wednesday 28th March 1849
The Derbyshire village of Swarkstone is famous for being mentioned twice in the 1086 Domesday Book when known as Sorchestun and Suerchestune. At the time it held a prominent position on the River Trent, situated midway between Burton on Trent and Derby, being about 6 miles from each. The village is noted for its Grade I listed bridge which was built in the 13th century, and 6 centuries later it held its own race meeting, initially on Tuesday 4th March 1845 when billed as ‘Derbyshire races’.  The meeting was held across 4 miles of good hunting ground in the vicinity of the village and opened with the Repton and Gresley Troop Steeplechase which went to Mr J Hassall’s Pioneer in front of Old Tom and Jewess. The Hunters Stakes, confined to members of the Meynell Ingram, Atherstone and Donington Hounds, was won by Mr Bromley with his appropriately named Newmarket. The final meeting took place in the same area on Wednesday 28th March 1849.

Meynell Hunt, Atherstone Hunt, Donington Hunt

Tuesday 4th March 1845
Swarkestone Town Plate over 4 miles
1. Small Hopes, chestnut colt owned by Mr William Briggs
2. Old Tom, bay gelding owned by Mr Adams
3. Alice Grey, grey mare owned by Mr T Taylor

The only recorded meeting took place on Wednesday 28th March 1849.

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