GATWICK

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Gatwick 1897.JPG (14697 bytes)Gatwick racecourse 1891.JPG (23573 bytes)

B-Gatwick 1897 Ladies Fob.jpg (84492 bytes)

Many thanks to John Somerville for the scan.

FIRST MEETING

7th October 1891

 

SITUATED

Midway between London and Brighton.

 

DISTANCES

5 furlongs to 2 miles Flat

2 miles to 4 miles 856 yards NH

 

PRINCIPAL RACE

The Gatwick Cup.

 

WORLD WAR I

Open and 3 Grand Nationals run at the course during this period.

 

WORLD WAR II

Closed by mid 1940’s

 

FACT

At the August meeting in 1928, Welcome Gift was the 11/4 on favourite and was ridden by Charlie Smirke.

 

QUESTION

Why was the smirk wiped off Charlies face when he was warned off for his riding of Welcome Gift, and why did this prove to be unjust?

 

CURRENT SITUATION

No evidence of the previous existence of a racecourse, it being covered by the airport, although there is a Racecourse restaurant.

 

LAST MEETING

15th June 1940

 

If you have :-

a favourite memory of this racecourse;

photos or a postcard of the course;

a members badge from the course, either to sell or as a scan;

then email me at johnslusar@fsmail.net and I will include the details on this site together with an acknowledgement for you.

Date    1897         Credits    180     On site    18/3/03         Off site

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