Earliest meeting: Monday 2nd August 1852
Final meeting: Wednesday 12th July 1871
The Norfolk town of East Dereham lies 15 miles west of the county town of Norwich and once held its own races. The Norfolk Weekly News recorded races taking place at Dereham on Wednesday 6th July 1842 when the principal race was the Dereham 40 Sovereigns Plate. Racing then ceased for 10 years before returning as East Dereham races. Despite the railway arriving in the town in 1847, with lines to Kings Lynn and Fakenham, the next meeting did not take place until 1852 on a mile course situated on Dereham Common. That inaugural meeting of East Dereham races was staged on Monday 2nd August 1852 when thousands attended and were entertained between races by the Fakeham Town Band, banjo players and itinerant ballad singers. The meeting opened with a hurdle race which was won by Garrick. After racing a Promenade Concert and Ball were held at the Corn Exchange. By 1869 a temporary grandstand was provided for public use. The final meeting took place on Wednesday 12th July 1871.

Monday 2nd August 1852
The East Dereham Hurdle over 3 hurdles
1. Garrick, brown horse owned by Mr C Green
2. Priory Stag, chestnut horse owned by Mr Abel
3. Shropshire Witch, bay mare owned by Mr W Page

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