Earliest meeting: Thursday 27th January 1853
Final meeting: Thursday 27th January 1853
The East Riding of Yorkshire village of Londesborough, surrounded by beautiful countryside, is located just 2 miles north of Market Weighton and lies on the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail. At one stage the village was dominated by Londesborough Hall and its estate, although no evidence of the house remains today, while in the mid-1800s the village held its own races close to the estate on Thursday 27th January 1853. The 4 mile course over fair hunting country started on the edge of the village in a large field owned by Mr S Wharton. It proceeded in the direction of Mr J Stewart’s house, crossing the Londesborough road before being confronted with 24 leaps, including an artificial brook 16 feet wide. A large crowd was present to witness the running of the Silver Cup Steeplechase sponsored by Lord and Lady Londesborough, with a field of nine contesting the race. The winner was Mr Danby’s bay gelding Routh which went off at 4/1 third favourite. There are no records of further races taking place in the village. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Lord Londesborough, Mr W Rudston, Mr W Hodgson, Mr J Stewart (Stewards) |
| Principal Races |
Lord Londesborough’s Silver Cup |
Thursday 27th January 1853
Lord Londesborough’s Silver Cup Steeplechase over 4 miles
1. Routh, bay gelding owned by Mr Danby
2. Sweep, 6 year old owned by Mr Richard Kirby
3. Vulcan, aged horse owned by Mr Hopper
4. Keturah, 6 year old owned by Mr W Jackson
5. Sobriety, aged horse owned by Mr J Stewart
6. Willoughby, 5 year old owned by Mr W Catton
7. Bootjack, aged horse owned by Mr George Ringrose
8. Gipsy Girl, 5 year old owned by Mr Goodlass
9. Captain Flash, 5 year old owned by Mr Ringrose
Betting: 2/1 Vulcan, 3/1 Bootjack, 4/1 Routh, 5/1 Keturah |
The only recorded meeting took place on Thursday 27th January 1853. |
| Course today |
A 4 mile course over fair hunting country, starting in a large field owned by Mr S Wharton, heading in the direction of Mr J Stewart’s house. |
| 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. |
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