Earliest meeting: Tuesday 5th March 1844
Final meeting: Tuesday 5th March 1844
The Surrey suburb of London called Sunbury lies just 13 miles from Charing Cross. It was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book when known as Suneberie, although at that time it was barely more than an agricultural village. Today it enjoys a direct rail link with Waterloo station, and Sunbury Park is a wide expanse to be enjoyed by the locals. Back in the mid-1800s Sunbury organised its own race meeting which took place on Tuesday 5th March 1844, although it had originally been scheduled for the previous Monday but had to be postponed due to severe flooding. The meeting was billed as the Sunbury Amateur Steeplechase and was contested over a 3 mile course which began on Mr Turvel’s farm. The runners quickly faced a stiff fence before crossing a ploughed field which led to the road, after which there was a stiff hedge and 15 feet wide brook. After several more fields the runners headed back towards Sunbury to complete the 3 mile race which was won by Mr Clarence’s Jim Crow in 13 ½ minutes. After the racing had ended a dinner was served at Mr Hawkes’ Castle Inn in Sunbury. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr Hawkes, Mr Clarence |
| Principal Races |
Sunbury Amateur Steeplechase |
Tuesday 5th March 1844
Sunbury Amateur Steeplechase over 3 miles
1. Jim Crow, aged horse owned by Mr Clarence
2. Unnamed bay mare owned by Mr Thacker
3. Gay Lad, aged horse owned by Mr Hawkes
4. Rush, aged horse owned by Mr Luce |
The only recorded meeting took place on Tuesday 5th March 1844. |
| Course today |
A 3 mile course starting on Mr Tuvel’s farm and finishing in Sunbury. |
| 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 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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