Earliest meeting: Monday 25th May 1752
Final meeting: Monday 1st June 1874
The North Yorkshire village of Stokesley, on the River Leven, is located in the Hambleton district of the county about 10 miles south of Middlesbrough. The ‘County History of Yorkshire’ recorded that a two day meeting first took place in the town from Monday 25th to Wednesday 27th May 1752. On the opening day the 2 mile Purse for 4 year olds was won after two heats by Colonel Lampton’s Orlanana, beating Creeping Jane and Bonny Lass. Two days later on Wednesday 27th May the Weight for Age Handicap was claimed by Young Badger after three heats. Over a century later, and with the meetings well supported over this period, a card was staged on Monday 17th May 1869 on a portion of Seamer Moor owned by Lord Leconfield. On this day the attendance was lower than usual, but those who were present enjoyed good racing. The Yorkshire Stakes went to Moll, owned by Mr Dick, while the Cleveland Handicap was won by Dick owned by Mr Stapleton. Three years later there was a curious incident at the May 1872 meeting when the jockey of Lady Don, J.Clark, was reported to be dead after a fall, only to turn up at his home having survived the shock.The final meeting took place on Monday 1st June 1874.
25th May 1752
Stokesley Two mile Purse for 4 year olds
1. Orlanana, bay horse owned by Colonel Lampton 1 1
2. Creeping Jane, bay mare owned by Mr White 2 2
3. Bonny Lass, chestnut mare owned by Mr Forester 3 3
4. Hair-Brain, grey mare owned by Mr Snowden 4 dist
27th May 1752
Stokesley £50 Weight for Age
1. Young Badger, grey horse owned by Mr Shaftoe 2 1 1
2. Antelope, bay horse owned by Sir Marmaduke Wyvill 1 3 2
3. Young Forester, black gelding owned by Mr Sedgwick 3 2 4
4. Milk-Maid, grey mare owned by Mr Forster 4 4 3
5. Cotton Velvet, grey mare owned by Mr Lonsdale 5 dist
27th and 28th May 1782
Stokesley 20 Guineas Sweepstakes over 2 miles
1. Paymaster owned by Mr Addison
2. Unnamed filly by Oiho owned by Mr Pratt
3. Unnamed filly by Picture owned by Mr Burdon
Stokesley Maiden over 4 miles
1. Privateer owned by Mr Pratt
2. Gumilda owned by Mr Tempset
The winner, wearing Red with a Black cap, was 4/6 favourite.
I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below.
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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
