Earliest meeting: Wednesday 11th April 1877
Final meeting: Wednesday 15th April 1896
The Nottinghamshire village of Rufford, just 2 miles from Ollerton, enjoys the benefit of open countryside and an Abbey. Rufford Abbey was converted into a country house in the 16th century and stands in over 150 acres of parkland and woodland. In the latter part of the 19th century Rufford held its own series of race meetings, although these took place on nearby Owlscote Farm, near Heath on a 3 mile course over meadows, fields, challenging natural fences, ditches and hedges. The inaugural meeting was held on Wednesday 11th April 1877 and was deemed to be a success, with good sport and a large crowd. Meetings continued to take place throughout the next 19 years, with the Rufford Hunt Cup the highlight of each card. The final meeting under National Hunt Rules took place on Wednesday 15th April 1896 at the Haggs House Farm course at Morton, when the Rufford Hunt Cup was won by Daisy, owned by Mr E W Barnes. Point to Point meetings continued well into the 20th century. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Duke of Portland, Marquis of Hartington |
| Principal Races |
Rufford Hunt Cup, Derbyshire Cup, Hardwick Plate |
Wednesday 15th April 1896
Rufford Hunt Cup over 3 ½ miles
1. Daisy, aged horse owned by Mr E W Barnes
2. Lobengula Jun, aged horse owned by Mr L C Cuttle
3. Baroness, aged horse owned by Mr W A Stamford
Betting: Evens Lobengula Jun, 3/1 Daisy, 5/1 Baroness |
The final meeting took place on Wednesday 15th April 1896. |
| Course today |
On Owlscote Farm near Heath and then Hagg House Farm, Morton. |
| 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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