Earliest meeting: Thursday 21st March 1833
Final meeting: Saturday 11th October 1879
The East Sussex village of Preston, to the north of Brighton, benefits from the open countryside in Preston Park. The earliest record of racing in the area was at Preston, near Littleborough, on a 2 ½ mile course on Thursday 21st March 1833. The only race on the card was a match between Mr Page’s 7 year old chestnut mare carrying 10st and ridden by Mr MacDonald, against Mr Elliott’s bay horse carrying 12st and ridden by Mr Elliott. Mr Elliott made the early running until reaching the brook on Mr E Henty’s land, where he hesitated and allowed MacDonald to mount a challenge on his mare. After two more fields they headed back to a winning post near the start, and MacDonald’s superior riding skills allowed him to win with ease in 17 minutes. Racing next took place in the Park on Thursday 17th September 1846 when a 3 race card was staged in conjunction with the Horticultural Show. The Park which stretched across 63 acres, was later bought from William Bennett-Stanford, owner of Preston Manor, by a consortium, although the vast majority of the finance required to purchase the park in 1879 was donated by William Edmund Davies, a local bookmaker. This seems quite appropriate because in the same year as he made the purchase races were again held in Preston Park on Saturday 11th October 1879. |
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 |
