Earliest meeting: Tuesday 31st August 1847
Final meeting: Thursday 16th February 1871
Although currently in Berkshire, traditionally the village of Eton Wick was part of Buckinghamshire and lies on the River Thames. It lies close to both Eton and Windsor and grew as a village around Eton College. The Wick was on the edge of the village, formed by a number of cottages to house workers in the College and local farmlands. In the mid-1800s the village held a number of informal race meetings, with records dating back to 1835, but a meeting did take place on The Rays, near Clewer on Tuesday 31st August 1847 when the main event was the Eton Hurdle Sweepstake. A further meeting under rules was held on Wednesday 15th April 1868 on Eton Wick, and a Sweepstake Match was held over a 4 mile course, with each runner carrying 14st, on Thursday 16th February 1871. The race disappointed the crowd when after 1 ½ miles the runner from Slough fell and left the winner to come home alone. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr Harrison (Steward) |
| Principal Races |
Eton Silver Cup, Eton Sweepstake Hurdle |
Tuesday 31st August 1847
Eton Sweepstake Hurdle
1. Concealment, aged horse owned by Mr Harrison
2. Fox, bay gelding owned by Mr Dyson
3. Ploughman, chestnut horse owned by Mr Harris |
The only recorded meeting took place on Thursday 16th February 1871. |
| Course today |
Initially on The Rays, Clewer and then on Eton Wick common. |
| 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. |
| ORDER FORM |
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| Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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