Earliest meeting: Tuesday 19th April 1864
Final meeting: Monday 30th April 1877
The Herefordshire village of Weobley is famous for being one of the group of so called’ black and white’ villages in the county. The village has a rich history and was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book when known as Wibelai. In the middle of the 19th century the village held a series of race meetings beginning on Thursday 19th April 1864. The course was in fields close to the Lion Hotel and the meeting opened with the Union Hunt Steeplechase which went to May Day owned by Mr F Ford. The Longleet Steplechase was the principal race and fell to Lady Lift. After racing the crowd retired to the Lion Hotel for the Ordinary. Racing continued annually, but the meeting on Tuesday 30th April 1867 was thought to be the best attended of all and the large crowd saw The Lawyer land the Hunters’ Steeplechase. Racing was staged at the venue for a total of 13 years before the final meeting under rules was held on Monday 30th April 1877. The village maintained an interest in racing by staging point to point meetings well into the 20th century. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Captain Beavan (Steward), Captain Woodhouse, Mr W H Bull (Clerk) |
| Principal Races |
Longleet Steeplechase, Union Hunt Steeplechase |
Tuesday 19th April 1864
Longleet Steeplechase over 3 miles
1. Lady Lift, bay mare owned by Mr W Bull
2. Bonnie, bay mare owned by Mr Goatman
3. Lady Lorne, chestnut mare owned by Mr Dodson |
The final meeting took place on Monday 30th April 1877. |
| Course today |
In fields next to the Lion Hotel. |
| 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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