ISLE OF AXEHOLME RACECOURSE

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Earliest meeting: Wednesday 3rd March 1847
Final meeting: Wednesday 3rd March 1847
The Isle of Axeholme lies between the three towns of Doncaster, Scunthorpe and Gainsborough in North Lincolnshire. It is referred to as an Isle because prior to being drained it contained areas of dry ground surrounded by marshland, and as a consequence the land is very fertile. On Wednesday 3rd March 1847 a race meeting was held in the area 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
Isle of Axeholme 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

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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  Quantity Cost
Volume 1 North of Hatfield £19.99 + £4 postage    
Volume 2 South of Hatfield £14.99 + £3 postage    
Volume 3 Wales & Scotland £9.99 + £3 postage    
Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage    
Volumes 1 - 4 £54.96 + £5 postage    
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Email order form to johnwslusar@gmail.com