Earliest meeting: Monday 10th October 1831
Final meeting: Thursday 16th April 1846
Early records show that racing took place in the South Yorkshire town of Wath-on-Dearne, some 5 miles from Rotherham, on Monday 10th October 1831. It was a two day Flat meeting which finished on Tuesday 11th October 1831. The course was by the side of Wath Wood on land owned by the Right Honourable Earl Fitzwilliam. Because the course was situated between Wath and Swinton, the racecourse was later known as Swinton Club racecourse when the Swinton Club organised their own series of races in the late 1870s which are covered in a different section. Although the final Flat racing was staged on Tuesday 11th October 1831, there was a National Hunt meeting on Thursday 16th April 1846 over 2 miles of good hunting ground, intersected by some trying fences. The main race was a Match between The Unknown, ridden by Mr T Johnson, and Why-Not ridden by Mr William Stott. The race was won in gallant style by The Unknown despite falling at the first fence.
Wath 3 Guineas Saddle, Wath Porcelain Cup, South West Y.Y.Cavalry Stakes
Monday 10th October 1831
Wath Porcelain Cup
1. Charlie owned by Mr Hunt
2. Moritz owned by Mr T Rodgers
Thursday 16th April 1846
Wath Match over 2 miles
1. The Unknown, a bay colt owned by Mr Pole
2. Why-Not, bay gelding owned by Mr William Stott
An article in the Mexborough & Swinton Times on 19th August 1927 made reference to the cup and produce a picture of it. At that point in time the cup was owned by Captain R H Radford.
Flat racing on 11th October 1831, with a National Hunt meeting on Thursday 16th April 1846.
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
