Earliest meeting: Wednesday 3rd March 1847
Final meeting: Wednesday 3rd March 1847
The small North Lincolnshire town of Epworth is located mid-way between Goole and Gainsborough. Its main claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley. However, its other point of note, which the Wesley brothers might not have approved of, was that it held a race meeting in the middle of the 19th century. On Wednesday 3rd March 1847 the meeting took place on a course near to the Red Lion Inn at Epworth. The main race, reserved for members of the Badsworth Hunt, was a Sweepstake over 3 miles of good hunting ground which drew a large entry. The hotly contested race was won by Mr W J Graburn’s Bouncer who got the upper hand over Fattima and Dick Turpin. The concluding Hack race was won by Salivation, owned by Mr Lamplugh, who defeated Gamon and Scotter Lass. After a good day of racing an Ordinary was served at the Red Lion Inn courtesy of Mr Thomas Reid. There are no records of further meetings taking place in the area. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr Thomas Reid, Mr R P Johnson, Mr W Skipworth, Mr W E Hobson (Stewards) |
| Principal Races |
Isle of Axeholme Sweepstake, Hack Race |
Wednesday 3rd March 1847
Epworth Sweepstake over 3 miles
1. Bouncer, chestnut gelding owned by Mr W J Graburn
2. Fattima, chestnut mare owned by Mr C Empson
3. Dick Turpin, bay gelding owned by Mr H Marsh
4. Woldsman, bay horse owned by Mr W Wilmott
5. King of the Slacks, bay gelding owned by Mr E C Gibson
Betting: 3/1 Woldsman, 4/1 The Doctor, 4/1 Voltri. 6/1 Bouncer, 6/1 Fattima |
| The final meeting took place on Wednesday 3rd March 1847. |
| Course today |
A 3 mile course over good hunting ground adjacent to the Red Lion Inn. |
| 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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