Earliest meeting: Friday 3rd November 1842
Final meeting: Thursday 15th January 1846
The Kent seaside town of Herne Bay lies on the Thames Estuary some 7 miles north of Canterbury. Prior to becoming a seaside resort the town acted as a shipping port. In the mid-1800s the town held its own race meetings, the first of which took place on Friday 3rd November 1842. The near circular racecourse started in a meadow next to the gas-works where runners faced three brooks before turning to face a series of hedges on the way to Eddington Farm. After turning right at the Farm, runners proceeded to Mr Bean’s Farm and then crossed the turnpike road near Herne Street before heading to the finish at the Pier Hotel. In total the runners completed 4 miles and faced 35 fences. The race was won by Mr Tilbury’s Goblin after a fierce battle with Vanguard. Meetings continued until a final card took place on Thursday 15th January 1846.

Friday 3rd November 1842
Herne Bay Sweepstake over 4 miles
1. Goblin, bay gelding owned by Mr Tilbury
2. Vanguard, chestnut gelding owned by Mr A McDonnough
3. Nimrod, bay gelding owned by Mr H Scott
4. Student, chestnut gelding owned by Mr J Ball

The only recorded meeting took place on Thursday 15th January 1846.

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