Earliest meeting: Tuesday 28th March 1690
Final meeting: Tuesday 2nd July 1878
The first recorded racing in the Berkshire village of Lambourn was in 1690 when a two day meeting took place during Easter week on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th March 1690, the programme consisting of a £10 Plate and a £20 Selling Plate. Whilst it is likely that meetings were a regular occurrence, the next occasion when racing is known to have taken place was 1731 to 1733, although results were not reported. However, results were reported in Baily’s Racing Register from the meeting held on Friday 14th May 1734 with the 30 Guineas Prize landed by Mr Cole’s Foxhunter. The early racecourse, a figure 9 shaped racecourse with a mile long straight, was located at Row Down on land owned by Fulwar Craven. A map issued by John Rocque in 1761 is shown below and indicates the exact position of that course. Racing was well supported by the great and good of racing throughout its near two centuries of staging meetings. On Monday 26th April 1757 the Earl of Podmore’s Prim won the £50 Purse for 5 year olds, while on Tuesday 12th August 1794 Lord Craven’s Plate went to Serpent owned by Sir John Lade. Today Lambourn remains home to over 30 prominent racing stables, and its famous gallops continue to prepare Derby, Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle winners, but maybe the location of the town and challenging transport links prevented it from further developing its racecourse. After 1804 the Row Down racecourse was enclosed and became gallops, so racing ceased for a prolonged period before being transferred to the Rubbing House, close to Weathercock Hill, to the east of Ashdown House and the west of Seven Barrows on land owned by Lord William Craven, grandson of the racing enthusiast Fulwar Craven. Later maps shown below indicate the exact positions of two further racecourses in operation in Lambourn in the 19th century. The final meeting took place on Tuesday 2nd July 1878.
Earl of Portmore, Lord Craven, Sir Charles Goring, Sir John Lade, Sir G O Paul
The earliest race meeting to be held on Letcombe Downs, near Wantage, on land owned by William Craven was in August 1727. William, the 3rd Baron Craven, was born in 1700 and inherited his father's estate and title when just 11 years old. He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge and then lived at Hampstead Marshall, Berkshire, some 18 miles from Wantage and 13 miles from Lambourn. He, along with his younger brother Fulwar, founded the Craven Hunt, and initiated race meetings at Wantage, but he was equally keen to restart race meetings at Lambourn. Although a second meeting was staged at Wantage in 1728, and meetings actually continued until Tuesday 20th September 1796, William and Fulwar promoted the idea of a meeting at Lambourn, which came to fruition in 1731 on his Ashdown Park Estate, close to Ashdown House. Further meetings were held throughout the 1730s, although the first meeting to be recorded in Bailey's Racing Register was in 1734.
Friday 14th May 1734
Lambourn 30 Guineas Prize
1. FOXHUNTER owned by Mr Cole
2. JIGG owned by Mr Bradley
3. WHITE-STOCKINGS owned by Mr Major
Tuesday 16th September 1735
Lambourn £30 Plate
1. WHYNOT, grey gelding owned by Mr Major
2. WHITTINGTON, chestnut horse owned by Mr Grisewood
3. CAMILLUS, bay horse owned by Mr Craven
William died on 10th August 1739, with his title, his Ashdown Park and Hampstead Marshall estates passing to his younger brother Fulwar. Fulwar, born in 1702, registered his racing colours of white satin and crimson cap, and was extremely keen on hunting and acing, pursuing both hobbies on his two vast estates which ran to 70,000 acres. After the death of his brother, Fulwar continued to allow his Bailey Hill Downlands, near Lambourn, to be used for race meetings, although they ceased for a short period between 1741 and 1749.
Tuesday 12th September 1749
Lambourn £50 Purse carrying 12 stone
1. BABRAHAM, bay horse owned by Mr Rogers
2. SULTAN, bay horse owned by Mr Greville
Wednesday 13th September 1749
Lambourn £50 Plate for horse never to have won a Royal Plate
1. TAWNY, brown horse owned by Mr Greville
2. LITTLE DRIVER, chestnut horse owned by Mr Marshall
Fulwar became a prominent individual in both the hunting and racing world, Master of the Craven Hounds, breeder and owner of racehorses and a member of the Jockey Club. He allowed Lambourn races to continue on his estate, at Bailey Hill Downlands, from 1749 until his death on 10th November 1764.
Thursday 25th April 1751
Lambourn £50 Purse for 4 & 5-y-o over 4 miles
1. CORNWALL, grey horse owned by Sir John Phillips
2. UNNAMED grey horse owned by Mr Stephen
3. GOLDEN LOCKS, chestnut horse owned by Mr Ashley
4. LITTLE JOHN, chestnut gelding owned by Mr Sparrow
5. SATAN, bay horse owned by Mr Swimmer
6. PEACHER, grey gelding owned by Mr Pembroke
7. FROSYFACE, grey horse owned by Mr Martindale
8. FORTUNE, bay gelding owned by Mr Phillips
9. OBADIAH, chestnut horse owned by Mr Trewhitt
Friday 26th April 1751
£50 Purse for 5-year-olds over 4 miles
1. PRIM, grey horse owned by Lord Portmore
2. GUSTAVUS, bay horse owned by Mr Martindale
3. TOM THUMB, bay horse owned by Sir Charles Goring
4. CARTOUCH, chestnut horse owned by Lord Craven
There was significant betting in London on this race, when odds of 4/6 on Gustavus were freely taken, but the favourite got turned over. What is also noticeable is that Lord Craven had a runner at his own meeting, and one would have expected this to have happened more often.
The Racing Calendar of 1751 was undertaken by Reginald Heber following the death of John Cheney who had initiated the project many years earlier. He records that Lambourn held a two-day meeting in April 1751 with race details shown above.
The map below, issued by John Rocque in 1761, actually names the racecourse in the bottom left hand corner.
Fulwar Craven did not marry, so his title and estates passed to his cousin, William Craven, born on 19th September 1705, who became the 5th Baron Craven. William had been an MP, but on inheriting all of Fulwar's estates he became Master of the Craven Hunt and was also promoted to the Jockey Club. He was just as eager as Fulwar had been to promote racing in Lambourn, and the meetings were held throughout his lifetime, although he survived for only 5 more years after Fulwar's death. He died on 11th March 1769 and the title passed to his nephew, William Craven, who became the 6th Earl Craven. A very full 2-day meeting was staged in early May 1772, sponsored by Lord Craven.
Tuesday 5th May 1772
Right Honourable Lord Craven’s £50 Purse over 4 miles
1. DANIEL, brown horse owned by Mr Bishop
2. SEPTHA, bay horse owned by Mr Howe
3. BAUBLE, bay gelding owned by Sir R Bampfylde
4. WARWICKSHIRE bay horse owned by Lord Craven
5. FURIOSO, bay horse owned by Mr Streade
£50 Sweepstake over 4 miles
1. Unnamed bay filly owned by Mr Bowles
2. Unnamed bay filly owned by Lord Allington
3. Unnamed brown colt owned by Lord Castlehaven
4. Unnamed black colt owned by Lord Chedworth
Wednesday 6th May 1772
£50 Give and Take over 4 miles
1. DAVID, brown horse owned by Mr Yeats
2. CICERO, chestnut horse owned by Mr Bishop
3. CHARMING MOLLY, chestnut filly owned by Mr Sparrow
4. PETIT MAITRE, bay horse owned by Lord Craven
5. OLD STANDARD, chestnut gelding owned by Mr Hubbard
6. WINDRUSH, bay horse owned by Mr Dutton
Tuesday 16th April 1782
Lambourn Plate over 4 miles
1. Warwick owned by Mr Boyes
2. Sophia owned by Sir G O Paul
William Craven, 6th Baron, married Lady Elizabeth Berkeley when she was just 16 years old. They lived at Ashdown House for 2 years and he was able to enjoy his posts of Master of the Craven Hunt and Jockey Club Member. The couple had 7 children and in 1771 he showed his support to Newmarket by introducing the 2-day Craven meeting. In 1775 he built Benham Park at Speen, Berkshire, while in 1780 he built Craven Cottage, later the home of Fulham Football Club. Lord Craven sponsored a race at the 2-day May meeting in 1778 and his wife, Lady Elizabeth, won it with her horse Pastime. He died on 26th September 1791 whilst on holiday in Switzerland, but throughout his lifetime he supported Lambourn Racecourse.
Tuesday 5th May 1778
Lord Craven £50 Purse over 4 miles
1. PASTIME, grey horse owned by Lady Craven
2. FREEHOLDER bay horse owned by Mr Watson
3. ANNUITY, bay horse owned by Sir John Lade
4. FORTUNE-HUNTER, chestnut owned by Mr Tombs
5. WHITE-STOCKINGS, chestnut owned by Mr Naper
Wednesday 6th May 1778
£50 Weight-for-age Stakes over 4 miles
1. ANNUITY, bay horse owned by Sir John Lade
2. OLEANDER, bay horse owned by Mr Boss
3. CASTOR, chestnut colt owned by Mr Moody
4. GAMESTER. bay horse owned by Mr Wood
5. HELEOVIA, bay mare owned by Sir S Stuart
Tuesday 12th to Wednesday 13th August 1794
Lambourn Plate over 2 miles
1. General owned by Mr Turner
2. Top-Gallant owned by Mr Dundas
3. Owen Tudor owned Mr E Dilly
I am grateful to John Hodges for providing a 19th century map which clearly indicates two different, named racecourse locations.
At the turn of the century a 2-day meeting was staged on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th September 1800 on Row Down racecourse under the Stewardship of Right Honourable Lord Craven and Anthony Bacon. Entries had to be made at the Red Lion on Monday 8th September, with a guinea to be paid for the first day and 2 guineas for the second day. No doubt, if horses outside of the Lambourn area wished to gain entry, then further stabling fees would be required for the period of the races. Liquor booths could only be erected on the racecourse by Lambourn publicans, while the erection of EO (even and odd) tables was strictly forbidden on the course. An Ordinary was served each day at the Red Lion at 1.30 prior to races starting at 4pm.
Wednesday 10th September 1800
Lord Craven's £50 Plate over 4 miles
3-y-olds to carry a feather, 4-y-o carry 7st 5lbs, 5-y-o carry 8st 4lbs, 6-y-o carry 8st 10lbs and aged horses carry 9st.
JACK ANDREWS, bay owned by Major Rook 2 0 1 1
SACRAPANT, chestnut owned by Hon. Mr Coventry 1 0 2 dr
IMP, bay mare owned by Mr Bacon 3 3 wdr
Thursday 11th September 1800
Lambourn Noblemen and Gentlemen's £50 Sweepstake over 2 miles
3-y-o carry 6st 4lbs; 4-y-o carry 7st 7lbs; 5-y-o carry 8st 7lbs; 6-y-o carry 9st; aged horses carry 9st 4;bs
1. BRIGHTON, chestnut colt owned by Mr Dilley 1 1
2. OBLIVION, bay mare owned by Mr Pickering 2 2
3. FLIRT, grey mare owned by Mr Froyle 3 4
4. RUBBISH, bay gelding owned by Mr Hollett 5 3
5. RIFLE GUN, grey gelding owned by Hon Mr Bowes 4 5
50 Guineas Match over 2 miles
1. Grey gelding owned by Mr Kellard
2. Grey Gelding owned by Mr Bowles
William Craven, the 6th Baron, was succeeded by his son, also called William, who became the 7th Baron Craven in 1791, later becoming the 1st Earl of Craven. At the turn of the century he sponsored a race meeting at Lambourn, although he did not have a runner himself. He was instrumental in reintroducing racing at Wantage, although it only lasted for a further 5 years, and, much more importantly, promoted Newbury as a racecourse centre. He died on 30th July 1825 passing title and lands onto his eldest son, William, who was born in 1809.
Tuesday 23rd July 1801
Lord Craven's £50 Purse over 4 miles
1. JOHN O'GROATS, bay horse owned by Mr Durand
2. PET, chestnut horse owned by Mr Hort
3. BRIGHTON, chestnut horse owned by Mr Dilly
4. SLANG, aged horse owned by Mr Price
5. TEA-BOY, bay horse owned by Mr Hyde
6. BUZZARD, bay horse owned by Mr Gordon
Berkshire Hunt Sweepstake over 4 miles
1. MASTER JOE, bay horse owned by Mr Goodlake
2. BLEMISH, chestnut gelding owned by Mr Bacon
3. UNNAMED bay filly owned by Mr Nune
4. BACHELOR, brown horse owned by Mr George
5. PUNSTER, black horse owned by Mr Mitchell
6. SNIP BY SNAP, brown mare owned by Mr Blackshaw
7. SAVAGE, bay gelding owned by Mr Dundas
Wednesday 24th July 1801
£50 Maiden Plate over 2 miles
1. BUZZARD, bay horse owned by Mr Gordon
2. PLOUGH BOY, grey horse owned by Mr Frogley
3. DRAGON, bay filly owned by Mr Sadler
4. AGANIPPE, aged horse owned by Mr Smythe
5. JOHN BULL, chestnut filly owned by Mr Day
6. UNNAMED brown filly owned by Colonel Grosvenor
At the July meeting of 1802, held on Row Down, the Prince of Wales deemed the meeting to be sufficiently important to enter his 4-year-old Fidget which duly won both heats and collected Lord Craven’s £50.
Wednesday 7th July 1802
Lord Craven's £50 Plate over 4 miles
1. FIDGET, 4-y-o owned by Prince of Wales 1 1
2. DUNGANNON Gelding owned by Mr Bowes 4 2
3. YAM, 4-y-o owned by Mr Elton 2 3
4. PHILPOT, bay horse owned by Mr Bullock 3 4
Lambourn Hunters 5 Guineas Sweepstake
1. ANTHROPOPHAGOS owned by Mr Bowes 1 1
2. EMSDORLF owned by Mr Dundas 2 wdr
Thursday 8th July 1802
£50 Maiden Plate over 2 miles
1. MITTIMUS owned by Mr Fortsecue 4 0 1
2. PUGILIST owned by Mr Heming 1 2 2
3. WILKES owned by Mr Whaley 2 3 wdr
4. SALLY ROCKINGHAM owned by Mr Page 3 wdr
5. FLORIST owned by Mr Mills (ran out)
The next year the 2-day meeting took place in late June when the feature race of the first day was Lord Craven’s £50 Plate, with a £50 Maiden Plate on the final day.
Wednesday 29th June 1803
Hunters 5 Guineas Sweepstake over 2 miles for horses carrying 12 stone
1. NAMESAKE, bay gelding owned by Mr Dundas
2. CONRAD, bay horse owned by Mr G Bowes
3. COUNTRYMAN Mare owned by Mr Lucas
Earl of Craven's £50 Plate over 4 miles
1. ORANGE FLOWER, brown horse owned by Mr Jones 1 1
2. ST VINCENT, bay horse owned by Major Snell 2 2
3. GILES, bay horse owned by Mr Byndloss 3 wdr
Thursday 30th June 1803
Lambourn 10 Guineas Sweepstake over 4 miles
1. ORANGE FLOWER, brown horse owned by Mr Jones
2. FOP, bay 5-y-o owned by Colonel Kingscote
Maiden £50 Plate over 2 miles
1. SIR JOHN, chestnut colt owned by Hon. Mr Coventry 1 1
2. FOP, bay horse owned by Colonel Kingscote 3 2
3. SPADILLE horse owned by Mr Frogley 2 3
4. Unnamed 4-y-o bay gelding owned by Mr Price 4 wdr
5. SPORTSMAN, bay gelding owned by Mr Waldron 5 wdr
William Craven became the 2nd Earl Craven on the death of his father in 1825 and lived, with his wife Emily, at Ashdown House. Prior to his father's death he had promoted himself as Viscount Uffington, but was happy to become 2nd Earl Craven, and was a prominent racehorse owner, owning Charity, winner of the 1841 Grand National, and part owning Wild Dayrell, winner of the 1855 Epsom Derby. He gave permission for Lambourn races to be held close to Ashdown House at Weathercock Hill gallops in 1865, although he died just a year later on 25th August 1866. His first-born son, William had died at the age of 26, so the title and lands passed to his second son, George.
A 2-day meeting was held in September 1865 on the course on Weathercock Hill, with a Grandstand erected close to the Rubbing House from which a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside could be obtained. The attendance was good, given that there had been a lapse in race meetings, although the police were not over-vigilant in stopping the 'card-sharpers'. However, the newspapers did not report favourably on the meeting, with one stating,' It is somewhat surprising that the meeting, considering its situation and the celebrity of its training grounds which are situated in the immediate neighbourhood of the course, and the renowned sporting antecedents of the 'stables', should have been such an utter failure. Without doubt this is in the main attributable to the shoal of meetings which have followed the mighty gathering on Doncaster Moor, but still, bearing in mind the influential character of the Stewards, and the power which should have consequently been brought to bear upon the meeting, Lambourn Races 1865 should have been a better meeting than it was. The course is an admirable one, the nature of the turf renders it in almost all weathers excellent going, but the stand receipts were not large despite the numerous audience'. The influential people the newspaper referred to included Stewards the Marquis of Ailesbury, the Earl of Portsmouth, the Earl of Coventry, Viscount Uffington, while the Handicapper was none other than Admiral Rous who, by that stage, was Perpetual President of the Jockey Club.
Tuesday 19th September 1865
Trial Stakes for £30 over 1 mile
1. MISS HARRIETTE owned by Mr Joseph Saxon walked-over
Ashdown Stakes over a mile
1. GRETNA owned by Mr R Kelson and ridden by J Mann
2. ALBERTA owned by Mr Hartley and ridden by Pearson
3. MARIANNA owned by Mr Beadman and ridden by Heslop
4. ELLINGTON owned by Mr R Horn and ridden by Wilkinson
Craven Handicap over 2 miles
1. BEN-Y-CHLO owned by Mr Joseph Saxon and ridden by Shaw
2. DR SWISHTAIL owned by Mr H Goater and ridden by Scorey
3. THE PIRATE owned by Mr Merry and ridden by Thompson
Nursery Handicap over 6 furlongs
1. HOPVINE owned by Mr Jackson and ridden by Barker
2. ALBERTA owned by Mr Hartley and ridden by Pearson
3. COUNTESS AMY owned by Lord Ailesbury and ridden by Herbert
4. STILTON owned by Mr Joseph Saxon and ridden by Clement
Wednesday 20th September 1865
Uffington Handicap over 1 1/4 miles
1. OVERTURE owned by Mr J N Astley and ridden by Clement
2. CRISIS owned by Mr Merry and ridden by H Covey
3. DR SWISHTAIL owned by Mr H Goater and ridden by Scorey
4. PINK owned by Mr W Nicholl and ridden by Thompson
5. THE PLOVER owned by Mr T V Morgan and ridden by Pearson
Hunters Stakes over 2 miles
1. LITTLE FRANK owned and ridden by Mr Ellison
2. LADY OF THE SEA owned and ridden by Mr Kennard
3. BAGSHOT owned by Mr F Cundell and ridden by Rickaby
4. MILKMAN owned by Mr Jas Davenport and ridden by Phillips
Selling Stakes over 4 furlongs
1. THOR owned by Mr Sowden and ridden by Pearson
2. ST ALBANS owned by Lord Ailesbury and ridden by H Sharp
3. BEESWING owned by Mr Joseph Saxon and ridden by Seaton
4. WILDHOUND owned by Mr J Foy and ridden by Thompson
HANDICAP PLATE over 5 furlongs
1. REINDEER owned by Mr F Fisher and ridden by Bird
2. THE SQUIRE owned by Mr T Steven and ridden by H Covey
3. THE ELAND owned by Mr Beadman and ridden by Heslop
4. MOUNTAIN DEER owned by Mr Kennard and ridden by Barker
5. THE FOWLER owned by Mr A Head and ridden by Herbert
6. GAY TOM owned by Mr Mills and ridden by Glover
Lambourn Hurdle Race over 2 miles and 8 flights
1. LITTLE FRANK owned and ridden by Mr Ellison
2. SPEEDY owned and ridden by Mr Washbourne
3. SUNSET owned by Lord Uffington and ridden by T Wig
4. TRAVELLER owned and ridden by Mr C Searle
Although the final race was a complete farce, the winner cantered 20 lengths clear, while the others all refused, but the race did not typify the excellent sport during the rest of the meeting. With £400 in added prize money, it was hoped that more owners and trainers would be attracted next year. The course was said to be one of the finest in the country, and when contrasted with the wretched course at Hungerford, it was said to be like a billiard table compared to one which is not fit to hold donkey races. Furthermore, the catering provided by Mr Staples of Newbury, was both varied and excellent in quality.
I am grateful to Jon Seddon for finding the 1880s map below and to Ordnance Survey for allowing me to include it on the site. It clearly shows that the two racecourses were operational at the same time.
After the disappointing reports about the 1865 meeting, races between 1866 and 1868 were less high profile, but after a lapse of 8 years, the energy of several local gentlemen led to the meetings being revived in 1876 which attracted Lord Craven and 5th Lord Rosebery, Archibald Primrose. Later Prime Minister between March 1894 and June 1895.
Tuesday 8th August 1876
Lambourn Handicap Plate for 50 sovereigns over 5 furlongs
1. LA TAMISE (6/4 fav) owned by Mr J R Humphrey and ridden by J Macdonald
2. REPEAL (3/1) owned by Lord Rosebery and ridden by Charles Archer
3. ST HELENS (10/1) owned by Mr J R Humphrey and ridden by C Payne
Berkshire Two-Year-Old Selling Stakes for 50 sovereigns over 4 furlongs
1. MAID OF THE VALLEY (4/1) owned by Robert Peck and ridden by A Wood
2. MAID OF SARAGOSSA (4/5 fav) owned by Mr Waterhouse and ridden by Fred Archer
3. VIATKA (5/1) owned by Mr T Stevens and ridden by Charles Archer
Craven 100 sovereigns Handicap over a mile
1. PERCY (2/1) owned by Mr Robert Peck and ridden by J Macdonald
2. ROYAL BLOOD (4/1) owned by Mr J R Humphrey and ridden by W Macdonald
3. KING OF THE WEST (10/1) owned by Mr Downall and ridden by Newhouse
4. FATHER CLARET (Evens fav) owned by Lord Rosebery and ridden by Fred Archer
Russley Two-Year-Old Stakes over 5 furlongs
1. SABRINA (Evens fav) owned by Major Stapleton and ridden by Fred Archer
2. LORD LYONS Filly (10/1) owned by Mr Phillips and ridden by Crickmere
3. SLY (2/1) owned by Duke of Westminster and ridden by Fred Webb
Visitors Stakes over 5 furlongs
1. MISS CROFT (evens fav) owned by Mr T Stephens and ridden by Fred Archer
2. ENOCH (2/1) owned by Mr Thorold and ridden by Haywood
3. CORNUCOPEA (10/1) owned by Mr W C Lea and ridden by Charles Archer
Welter Handicap over 6 furlongs
1. TEUTON (2/5 fav) owned by Mr M Delton and ridden by Fred Webb
2. HUNTLEY (3/1) owned by Lord Rosebery and ridden by Constable
3. LA TAMISE (10/1) owned by Major Stapleton and ridden by J Macdonald
White Horse Open Hunters Flat Race over 2 miles
1. HERBERT (3/1) owned by Mr Jack Jarvis and ridden by H Lowe
2. HIGHLANDER (4/6 fav) owned and ridden by Mr A Yates
3. SANS PEUR (10/1) owned by Mr G Clement and ridden by H W Rudd
FRED ARCHER COMES TO LAMBOURN
It is highly likely that the best meeting ever held on one of Lambourne's racecourses was in its penultimate year. That meeting was staged on Thursday 19th July 1877, overseen by chief Stewards the Earl of Craven, the Earl of Rosebery and Lord Kesteven. The list of jockeys riding at the meeting was a positive Who's Who of jockeys, led by Fred Archer, who had been at the previous year's meeting, and also included Fred Webb, Arthur Wood, Henry Constable, William McDonald and Jack Jarvis, later to become a celebrated Derby winning trainer. The day began misty, but heavy rain held off until after the main event, the Craven Cup, had been decided, after which a heavy mist swept over Weathercock Hill. It was a miserable day for favourite backers, with all 6 favourites beaten in the first 6 races, and only those with cash left over would have taken advantage of the skinny odds (1/2) offered on the obliging Rookwood in the last race of the day, the OBH Open Hunters Flat Race over 2 miles.
Ashdown Two-Year-Old Stakes over 5 furlongs
1. STAR OF THE VALE (5/4 jt fav) owned by Robert Peck and ridden by Arthur Wood
2. CON GREGAN (5/4 jt fav) owned by Lord Rosebery and ridden by Henry Constable
3. UMPIRE (6/1) owned by Mr H Owen and ridden by Fred Archer
Lambourn Plate over 5 furlongs
1. MAUD VICTORIA (10/1) owned by Mr W S Cartwright and ridden by Henry Constable
2. DRUMHEAD (100/30) owned by Mr G Jarvis and ridden by Jack Jarvis
3. BAUMBER (10/1) owned by Robert Peck and ridden by Arthur Wood
Craven Cup over 1 mile
1. VOLTURNO (7/4) owned by Mr W S Cartwright and ridden by Luke
2. LETCOMBE (10/1) owned by Mr F Lynham and ridden by Gallon
3. COLUMBUS (6/1) owned by Mr Thorold and ridden by William McDonald
4. CAXBY (25/1) owned by Mr Masque Caxby and ridden by G Jarvis
5. SNAIL (11/8 fav) owned by Lord Rosebery and ridden by Henry Constable
Visitors' Plate over 5 furlongs
1. FLORRY YORK (3/1) owned by Mr H Owen and ridden by Fred Archer
2. QUIETUDE (3/1) owned by Mr Steven and ridden by Jack Jarvis
3. WILD ROSE (7/1) owned by Mr F Lynham and ridden by J McDonald
Berkshire Two-Year-Old Selling Plate over 4 furlongs
1. THE MARINE (100/30) owned by Mr Robin and ridden by Henry Constable
2. BRAVISSIMA (2/1 fav) owned by Lord Kesteven and ridden by Fred Archer
3. BLACK DIAMOND (7/1) owned by Mr Hobson and ridden by Barlow
Welter Handicap over 1 mile
1. COLUMBUS (3/1) owned by Mr Thorold and ridden by Fred Webb
2. ABSOLON (6/4 fav) owned by Mr F Lynham and ridden by Lynham
3. VOLTURNO (6/1) owned by Mr W S Cartwright and ridden by Henry Constable
OBH Open Hunters' Flat Race over 2 miles
1. ROOKWOOD (1/2 fav) owned by Mr Gilbert and ridden by Mr H Lowe
2. CROESUS (4/1) owned by Mr F Lynham and ridden by Mr H Rudd
3. IGNITION (10/1) owned by Sir M Crofton and ridden by Mr H Owen
On 25th August 1866 George Grimston became the 3rd Earl of Craven, and with it came responsibility for Ashdown House, for 55,000 acres of land, and for ensuring that Lambourn races continued to be held on his Weathercock Hill Gallops. However, the final meeting was staged on Tuesday 2nd July 1878, well before the Earl died in 1883.
The meeting in 1878, only the third to be held in the village since racing resumed after a prolonged absence, was met with kind words in the newspapers which forecast, 'this meeting may now be regarded as firmly established and of certain continuance for years to come'. In the event the words were hollow, as this proved to be the final meeting held in the Berkshire racing village. An impressive group of Stewards gave the meeting their support, led by the Duke of Westminster, the Earl of Rosebery and the Earl of Craven. The roads leading to the course, located in the vicinity of Weathercock Hill, were poorly maintained, yet the only means of getting to the course was via the roads on well-appointed drags or humble carts. Although a 7-race card had been advertised, the final race failed to fill, so a six-race card began at 1.45pm.
Tuesday 2nd July 1878
Ashdown Two-year-old 100 sovereigns Plate over 5 furlongs
1. TARES (3/1), bay colt owned by Mr C C Jousiffe and ridden by Major
2. MISS ELY (7/4 fav), bay filly owned by Mr W S Cartwright and ridden by Constable
3. THUNDERBOLT colt (2/1) owned by Mr Naylor and ridden by C Payne
Lambourn Handicap Plate for 100 sovereigns over 5 furlongs
1. CENTENARY (2/1), chestnut colt owned by Lord Kesteven and ridden by Constable
2. CHRISSY (4/1), bay filly owned by Mr J Dover and ridden by Wedgwood
3. SENATOR (6/4 fav), bay colt owned by Major Stapylton and ridden by B Cox
Visitors Plate for 100 sovereigns over 5 furlongs
1. BLUE PETER (5/1) owned by Mr Vaughan and ridden by Arthur Wood
2. PRINCE PLAUSIBLE (7/4 fav) owned by Admiral Glyn and ridden by Constable
3. BRAVISSIMA (4/1) owned by Lord Kesteven and ridden by Alfred Wood
The Craven Cup of 100 sovereigns over a mile
1. KALEIDOSCOPE (4/9 fav) owned by Mr Robert Peck and ridden by A Wood
2. THUNDERBOLT Colt (5/1) owned by Mr G Kruckensberg and ridden by Hopper
3. SUNDIAL (5/1) owned by Major Stapylton and ridden by J McDonald
Berkshire Two-Year-Old Selling Plate of 100 sovereigns over 4 furlongs
1. MACARONI Filly (4/6 fav) owned by Mr C C Jousiffe and ridden by Constable
2. HAWTHORNDELL (10/1) owned by Mr Brett and ridden by A Wood
3. PUCCHERO (7/1) owned by Lord Ilchester and ridden by J McDonald
Welter Handicap of 70 sovereigns over a mile
1. TWM-BAR-LWM (5/2) owned by Mr W S Cartwright and ridden by Constable
2. LIONEL (4/6 fav) owned by Mr H W Cholmley and ridden by Fred Webb
3. BRAVA (6/1) owned by Lord Howe and ridden by C Payne
Course today
I am grateful to John Hodges for the map of Upper Lambourn shown below. It indicates the position of the racecourse and how the land is used today.
The red area is Seven Barrows, where Nicky Henderson trains.
The blue area is Ashdown House/ Park, home of Pete Townshend.
The green area is the approximate area of the racecourse, based on the marked location of a Rubbing House, although others have claimed that courses were on Weathercock Hill and near Ashdown House.
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
