Earliest meeting: Tuesday 26th January 1841
Final meeting: Tuesday 26th January 1841
The Hertfordshire town of Sawbridgeworth is steeped in history with the Manor of Sawbridgeworth, known then as Sabrixteworde, recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book. The town also contains the Pishobury estate which was once the dwelling place of Anne Boleyn. In the 19th century races were staged in the town, but not before several postponements were rendered necessary by the severity of the weather. Eventually the solitary meeting, consisting of two steeplechases, took place on Tuesday 26th January 1841. The headquarters of the event was the White Lion, with many racing folk from London enticed to the meeting, including Mr Elmore, Mr Mason and Mr Tilbury. The 25 sovereign sweepstakes, open to All England except Lottery, was run first over a 4 mile course containing 38 fences, starting in a field next to Eastwick Wood owned by Mr Henry George Ward MP. Runners then continued over stiff country to Upper Hall Farm, on to Penny’s Farm and over a 17 feet wide brook, before progressing to Sayes Park Farm owned by Mr Alston. The horses then continued over fields on Rowney Farm before finishing three quarters of a mile from the White Lion. The race was won by Mr Bond’s Jupiter from Goblin and Tallyho. A second 5 sovereign sweepstake saw Mr Smith’s Revealer defeat Union and The Hunter. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr Henry George Ward MP, Mr Elmore |
| Principal Races |
Sawbridgeworth 25 Guineas Sweepstake |
Tuesday 26th January 1841
Sawbridgeworth 25 Sovereigns Sweepstakes over 4 miles |
The only recorded meeting took place on Tuesday 26th January 1841. |
For those wishing to carry out further research, your attention is drawn to two excellent articles by Flt. Lt. Douglas Coe BSc which are available on the net, with links below:-
A Day at the Races and Sawbridgeworth Racecourse |
| Course today |
A 4 mile course starting at Eastwick Wood and finishing three quarters of a mile before the White Lion. |
| 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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