Earliest meeting: Tuesday 23rd January 1844
Final meeting: Tuesday 23rd January 1844
The London area of Neasden, in the Borough of Brent, was certainly around before the days of William the Conqueror. In 939 the area was known as Neasdun and later the name became Neesden. Even as late as 1823 Neasden would, at best, be classed as a hamlet with only a handful of cottages and amenities. One of Neasden’s main industries in the early 1800s was to provide horses for the capital, and it is not a surprise therefore that Neasden held its own races on Tuesday 23rd January 1844. The card consisted of a single £25 Match between Mr Seffert’s The Pony ridden by Scott, and Mr Griffith’s Sir Robert ridden by himself. Each horse had to carry 11 stone over a course which began at the Stone Bridge between Neasden and Wimley, after which the runners jumped a fence on to the road and headed towards a water jump known locally as The Feeder. After crossing Mr Tattersall’s Farm the winning post was at Kilburn Windmill. After a closely fought contest The Pony took a decisive advantage after the last and won by 2 lengths. There is no evidence of a further meeting taking place in the area.

Mr Griffith, Mr Seffert

Tuesday 23rd January 1844
Neasden £25 Match
1. The Pony, brown filly owned by Mr Seffert
2. Sir Robert, bay gelding owned by Mr Griffith

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