Earliest meeting: Monday 19th April 1841
Final meeting: Wednesday 10th April 1850
The Warwickshire town of Kenilworth lies 6 miles south west of Coventry and about 4 miles north of Warwick. The town is recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book when known as Chinewrde, and it’s most famous building is Kenilworth Castle which, in its day, was a magnificent building, but only extensive ruins remain today. In the middle of the 19th century the town enjoyed hosting its own race meetings which were latterly held in the grounds of the renowned Bowling Green Inn. The inaugural meeting was held on Monday 19th April 1841 and opened with a Steeplechase won by Mr Lee’s Brown Stout. A Hurdle race rounded off the card won by Mr Bursell’s Matilda. The 3 mile course began in the Blundell’s field opposite Montague House, proceeding over several fields in a figure of 8 before returning to the town. At the 1843 meeting the feature Kenilworth Steeplechase was won by Mr R Ekins Dallington. Races were so well supported that meetings continued for a total of 9 years before the final card on Wednesday 10th April 1850.

Monday 17th April 1843
Kenilworth Steeplechase over 3 miles
1. Dallington, aged horse owned by Mr R Ekins
2. Legacy, aged horse owned by Mr Moore
3. Charles XII, bay gelding owned by Mr Vever

The final meeting took place on Wednesday 10th April 1850.

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