Earliest meeting: Thursday 2nd March 1865
Final meeting: Thursday 2nd March 1865
The Lincolnshire village of Wrangle, just 9 miles north east of Boston, has a history dating back before the 1086 Domesday Book. There is evidence of a Motte and Bailey castle existing on the outskirts of the village at Kings Hill, whilst in the 14th century the most prominent building in the village was Wrangle Hall. This was owned by the local Reade family and still exists today, albeit a more modern building than in those early days. The village held its solitary race meeting in the mid-1800s on Thursday 2nd March 1865 on the Common. The course was admirably arranged to ensure that people on foot could view the entire race, so runners traversed the course twice and faced upwards of 40 fences. The Open Steeplechase over 4 miles had 16 subscribers and was won by Mr Bygott’s Bridegroom, in front of Harkaway and Fireaway. The principal Wrange Chase went to Mr Swain’s Vampire, and this was a much applauded victory given that Mr Swain presided over dinner at his hospitable mansion after racing. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr C Swain, Mr W Watkinson, Mr J H Thomas (Stewards) |
| Principal Races |
Wrangle Steeplechase, Open Steeplechase |
Thursday 2nd March 1865
Wrangle Steeplechase over 4 miles
1. Vampire, bay gelding owned by Mr C Swain
2. Auditor, brown gelding owned by Mr Blondin
3. Ladybird, bay mare owned by Mr Bankes |
The only recorded meeting took place on Thursday 2nd March 1865. |
| Course today |
On the Common, the course consisted of 40 challenging fences. |
| 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. |
| ORDER FORM |
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| Volume 1 North of Hatfield £19.99 + £4 postage |
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| Volume 2 South of Hatfield £14.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 3 Wales & Scotland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volumes 1 - 4 £54.96 + £5 postage |
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