Earliest meeting: Thursday 6th February 1840
Final meeting: Thursday 6th February 1840
Today Walthamstow is a large town in north east London, just 8 miles north east of Charing Cross, but back in the 19th century it was much more rural and enjoyed glorious open countryside. In 1075 it was known as Wilcumestowe, and was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as Wilcumestou. On Thursday 6th February 1840 it held a steeplechase race on a course 2 miles to the left of Crooked Billet, starting on top of the hill and heading towards a flag in a ploughed field 1 ¾ miles from the start. After passing the flag the runners headed back to the start to complete a 3 ½ mile circuit. The race was won by Mr Body’s Magnum Bonum, but there are no further records of racing taking place in the town. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr Bode, My Body, Mr Hutchison |
| Principal Races |
Walthamstow Steeplechase |
Thursday 6th February 1840
Walthamstow Steeplechase over 3 ½ miles
1. Magnum Bonum, bay gelding owned by Mr Body
2. Flyer, bay gelding owned by Mr Bode
3. Cormorant, bay gelding owned by Mr Hutchison
4. Sky Scraper, bay gelding owned by Mr Laws |
| The final meeting took place on Thursday 6th February 1840. |
| Course today |
A 3 ½ mile steeplechase course starting 2 miles from Crooked Billet. |
| 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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