Earliest meeting: Monday 7th April 1845
Final meeting: Monday 7th April 1845
The Northamptonshire village of Weedon, more correctly called Weedon Bec, lies on the River Nene in the district of Daventry. In the mid-1800s it held its sole race meeting on Monday 7th April 1845 on a 2 mile course over sporting country between Weedon and Daventry. The meeting, a private affair for the pleasure and enjoyment of hunting gentlemen, was over a course containing 14 strong cattle fences, a brook that was 11 feet wide and a drain which was 8 feet wide. At the outset Pilgrim led until he was pulled up at a stiff bullfinch fence, the jockey having lost his stirrup, at which point Baronet took up the running but then crossed the brook the wrong side of the flag and had to recross it twice, putting paid to his chances. Countess refused at the brook, after which the appropriately named Weedon took up the running and proceeded to make all from that point, winning by a comfortable 3 lengths from Sloth. Despite the obvious success of the event, there are no further records of meetings taking place in the village. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Captain Greathed, Captain A Malet, Mr Clowes, Mr de Robuk |
| Principal Races |
Weedon Handicap Sweepstake |
Monday 7th April 1845
Weedon Handicap Sweepstake over 2 miles
1. Weedon, bay mare owned by Mr Clowes
2. Sloth, bay mare owned by Mr de Robuk
3. Sambe, brown gelding owned by Mr Clowes
4. Baronet, bay gelding owned by Mr Charters
5. Pilgrim, brown gelding owned by Captain Greathed
6. Countess, bay mare owned by Capyain A Malet |
| The final meeting took place on Monday 7th April 1845. |
| Course today |
A 2 mile course over sporting country. |
| 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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