WINCANTON |
Badges through the decades |
Brief History |
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| 1891 The Racing and Dramatic News makes reference to a meeting held on 28th February 1891, held at the old course South-East of Anchor Hill at Hatherleigh Farm. However, it was a point-to-point meeting. 1893 First recorded evidence of racing taking place in the vicinity of Wincanton. The Wincanton Hunt Steeplechase committee is also formed in this year and the first meeting takes place on Easter Monday. The Cheriton Stakes was won by Princess, ridden by J. Martin Richards the Grandfather of Sir Gordon Richards. 1895 The first meeting under the new committee took place on 3rd April at Hatherleigh Farm, although prize money was small for these early meetings. 1914-19 Racing ceased during the War years. 1920 The first meeting after the War and prize money started to increase. The Secretary of the Wincanton Race Company was Reginald Hutchings who had his offices in Church Street. 1925 The lease on Hatherleigh Farm runs out and racing ceases at this venue as a new venue is sought. 1927The first meeting to take place at todays Kingwell Farm course on 18th August. The course had been bought by the Wincanton Race Company after being persuaded to do so by Hugh Grosvenor, formerly a 14th Hussar during the War.
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1939-45
Racing ceases during the Second World War and the course is used by the military. The owner of the farm, Lord Stalbridge, decides to sell the farm and racing at Wincanton is under threat. 1944 The former World Heavyweight boxing champion, Joe Louis, visits Wincanton Racecourse on 29th April and referees military boxing matches. 1945 A committee of 10 local farmers purchase Kingwell Farm and the October meeting is the first to be held after the War. 1966 The Racecourse Holdings Trust purchase the racecourse and its future is secure. 1987The Grand National is won by Maori Venture ridden by Steve Knight a former pupil at the King Arthur's School, Wincanton. |
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