Earliest meeting: Tuesday 24th July 1866
Final meeting: Thursday 27th July 1871
The Lincolnshire market town of Market Deeping is in the South Kesteven district of the county. It lies on the River Welland a few miles from Peterborough and only about 6 miles from Stamford. The town is steeped in history having held a market since 1220. Its most famous building is The Deeping Stage, confirming its prominent position as an old coaching station. In the latter part of the 19th century the town held its own race meetings, the first of which took place on Tuesday 24th July 1866. It was deemed a success and many regional newspapers covered the follow-up meeting held on Monday 22nd July 1867. The racecourse was a mile circumference and situated just a mile outside of town on the suitable grass fields of Mr Johnson’s farm in the direction of Maxey. The key instigators of the meeting were the veteran Jockey Club starter Mr Markwell, who also acted as Judge and Starter, and Mr S B Sharpe who was the Honorary Secretary. The day was a pleasant, sunny day, with crowds pouring into the town from early morning, so that by noon the town was full of carriages and other vehicles, making it a truly spectacular sight. The size of the crowd was made even more remarkable given that the nearest railway station was at least 4 miles away. It was pleasing to note the support of wives and daughters of local tradesmen and farmers. Without a grandstand it was left to a line of waggons to act as a stand for viewing, and the weighing area consisted of a small tent in a private enclosure. The Ordinaries, enjoyed after the races, were held at The New Inn, with refreshment organised by Mr and Mrs Markham, and afterwards there was dancing and al fresco music provided by the band, followed by a splendid display of fireworks in the field next to the bridge, organised by Mr Pain of Cremorne Gardens. The event finished with a playing of the National Anthem. Racing continued for the next 4 years, but the meeting on Thursday 27th July 1871 did not get the expected support and proved to be the last.
Monday 22nd July 1867
The Welland Sweep Stakes over 1 mile
A sweepstakes of £5 added to a stake of 7s 6d each
1. Miller’s Maid, horse owned by Mr Taylor and ridden by Mr Staples 3 1 walked over
2. Charity, grey mare owned by Mr Duncan and ridden by Mr Grummitt 1 2 wdr
3. Dagmar, bay mare owned by Mr Nottingham and ridden by Mr Bonser 2 3 wdr
Betting 4/6 Miller’s Maid 3/1 Bar
The First Heat was won by Charity who was led to the distance by Dagmar but then was challenged at the distance and the grey won by 4 lengths. In the Second Heat Charity led but Miller’s maid soon took it up and won unchallenged by 10 lengths. In the Final Heat Miller’s Maid walked over.
The Casewick Stakes over 2 miles and 4 flights of hurdles
Prize of £10 added to a sweepstakes of 10s each
1. Byfield owned by Mr Walker and ridden by Mr C Wright
2. Rejected owned and ridden by Mr Nicholson
3. Sir Guy owned by Mr T Percival and ridden by Mr Grummitt
4. Wicket owned by Mr J Hayes and ridden by W.Hayes
5. Dick owned and ridden by Mr Granby
Betting 4/6 Wicket 2/1 Dick 6/1 Bar
At the first hurdle all apart from Byfield refused and he went on by a distance and was never troubled, winning by over 200 yards from Rejected. There was a Steward’s Enquiry when Mr Nicholson objected to the winner, but he was overruled.
The Ladies Purse over 1 mile
Prize £5 with a sweepstakes of 5s
1. Wicket, grey mare owned by Mr J Hayes and ridden by W.Hayes
2. Dick owned and ridden by Mr Granby
3. Sir Guy owned by Mr T Percival and ridden by Mr Cox
4. Miller’s Maid owned by Mr Taylor and ridden by Mr Bonser
5. Wild Irishman owned by Mr Inman and ridden by Mr Nicholson
6. Little Stag owned and ridden by Mr Thompson
Betting 5/4 Wicket 4/1 Sir Guy 6/1 Bar
The Market Deeping 20 Sovereigns Cup over 2 miles
Entry 15 shillings
1. Young Lord, chestnut colt owned by Mr Percival and ridden by Mr Wright
2. Sportsman owned by Mr Gilbert and ridden by Mr Granby
3. Key of the Market owned by Mr Sharpe and ridden by Mr Nicholson
4. Blue Jacket owned by Mr Hayes and ridden by W.Hayes
5. Wild Irishman owned by Mr Inman and ridden by Mr Whincup
6. Little Jack owned and ridden by Mr Swan
Betting 4/6 Young Lord 2/1 Sportsman 6/1 Bar
Young Lord won by 2 lengths from Sportsman, with Key of the Market 20 lengths back in third.
The Consolation Stakes over ¾ of a mile
Prize £2 with 5s stakes
1. Dick owned and ridden by Mr Granby
2. Drunken Tommy owned by Mr Dodds and ridden by Mr Letts
3. Key of the Market owned by Mr Sharpe and ridden by Mr Nicholson
4. Wild Irishman owned and ridden by Mr Inman
5. Little Stag owned and ridden by Mr Whincup
Betting 4/6 Dick 2/1 Drunken Tommy 3/1 Bar
The article shown below gives racing results from the July 1869 Market Deeping Race meeting. It is shown courtesy of the British Newspaper Archive Online.
The only recorded meeting took place on Thursday 27th July 1871.
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
