Earliest meeting: Thursday 12th September 1867
Final meeting: Tuesday 20th August 1872
The Somerset village of North Petherton has a rich history dating back before the 10th century and, at one point, claimed to be the largest village in the country. Along with neighbouring villages Hamp, Melcombe and Woolmersdon, it enjoys glorious countryside positioned at the foothills of the Quantocks. Back in the middle of the 19th century it held its own race meetings, the first of which was staged on Thursday 12th September 1867. The course was on the Jupens, a large open field owned by Steward Mr R Carter. The opening Hunters’ Stakes, over 4 flights, and the North Petherston Stakes were both won by Mr Scott’s Lady Dawson, while the later feature race, the Jupens Cup, went to Queen of Trumps. Meetings in conjunction with Taunton Vale continued to be held annually for the next 5 years. The final meeting took place on Tuesday 20th August 1872. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr R Carter (Steward) |
| Principal Races |
North Petherton Stakes, Jupens Cup,Taunton Plate, Bridgwater Handicap Hurdle |
Thursday 12th September 1867
Jupens Cup
1. Queen of Trumps, aged mare owned by Mr Ashford
2. Forest Queen, aged mare owned by Mr Selway
3. Red Rose, aged mare owned by Mr Mule |
| The final meeting took place on Tuesday 20th August 1872. |
| Course today |
On the Jupens, a large open field owned by Mr R Carter. |
| 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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| 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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