Earliest meeting: Thursday 9th April 1863
Final meeting: Wednesday 29th April 1885
The tiny Norfolk village of Kirby Bedon lies just 3 miles south east of Norwich and boasts a population of less than 200. Despite its size it hosted a series of steeplechase meetings for over 20 years in conjunction with a number of local regiments. The first record of a meeting was on Thursday 9th April 1863 when the 5th Lancers helped organise races on the estate of Sir R J H Harvey. The demanding steeplechase course consisted of 22 fences and a gaping brook. On Friday 8th April 1870 an amazing card was staged in which every winner was ridden by Mr Chaston. He won the Welter Hunt Stakes on Mr Dorset’s Marian, the Open Handicap and Light-Weight Hunt Stakes on Mr Betts’ Arlescot, and the Farmers Stakes on Mr R Gittus’ Spectator. The final meeting took place on Wednesday 29th April 1885 when organised by the Fourth Hussars. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Lord Hastings, Sir R J H Harvey, Fourth Hussars, 5th Lancers, Captain Scott, Sir Henry Stracey |
| Principal Races |
Kirby Bedon Open Handicap Steeplechase, Welter Hunt Stakes |
Friday 8th April 1870
Kirby Bedon Open Handicap Steeplechase over 3 miles
1. Arlescott, brown horse owned by Mr Betts
2. Lolliper, brown horse owned by Mr G Stracey
3. Defence, brown horse owned by Mr Abel |
The final recorded meeting took place on Wednesday 29th April 1885. |
| Course today |
A course of 22 fences and a gaping brook on Mr R J H Harvey’s estate. |
| 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 |
| Download an order form |
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| Volume 1 North of Hatfield £19.99 + £4 postage |
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| Volume 2 South of Hatfield £14.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 3 Wales & Scotland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volumes 1 - 4 £54.96 + £5 postage |
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