ABINGDON

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Grateful thanks to Robin Charnock for providing the detailed information shown below

Records show that racing took place at Abingdon as early as 1774 and lasted at the same venue until the final meeting on 27th July 1875. The course was situated to the west of Abingdon beside the River Ock. There is little evidence of the existence of a course today, with a Tesco store being built on the grounds where the course was situated.

Key Questions still to be answered:-

  • Where exactly was the course situated?

  • What shape and distance was it?

  • What remains of the course today?

  • Can anyone provide a map, badge or racecard from the course?

SEPTEMBER 1836

The Abingdon Cup took place on Wednesday 14th September and was run over a two and a half mile course with 12 runners each subscribing 10 guineas. The result was:-

1.     FELIX                 4 years old   8st 7lb   Owned by Mr Houldsworth

2.     DIANA                 5 years old   8st 13lb Owned by Mr Day

3.     LUCIFER            4 years old   8st 7lb   Owned by Mr Robertson
Also at the Wednesday meeting the records show that the 4 further races took place, one of which was a walk-over, but included the Handicap Stakes with the following result:-

HANDICAP STAKES

1.     BUBASTES               5 years old  7st 6lb  Owned by Mr Day

2.     LANGUID                 5 years old  8st 4lb  Owned by Mr Bristow

3.     LUCIFER                   4 years old  8st 6lb  Owned by Mr Robertson
The meeting extended to a second day on Thursday 15th September and included two sweepstakes and a handicap sweepstakes where there were 11 subscribers at 10 sovereigns each which resulted in the following:-

HANDICAP STAKES

1.     DESPERATE             4 years old  8st 10lb  Owned by Mr Reeves

2.     RESISTANCE            3 years old  7st 10lb Owned by Mr Day

3.     JENNY WREN           6 years old  8st 9lb  Owned by Mr Bishop
The Thursday meeting also had a Free Handicap and a Hunters Stakes with the following results:-

HUNTER'S STAKES ( 10 sovereigns to enter and 10 added by the course)

1.     LADY EMILY                6 years old   11st 5lb    Owned by Mr Radcliffe

2.     RUFUS                          6 years old   11st 5lb   Owned by Mr Reeves    

FREE HANDICAP (5 sovereign each to enter and 20 added)

1.     DILIGENCE               3 years old  7st 3lb     Owned by Mr Day

2.     DESPERATE              4 years old  7st 13lb    Owned by Mr Reeves

3.     LADY EMILY              6 years old  9st 0lb      Owned by Mr Radcliffe

If you can provide further information about this racecourse then email   johnslusar@fsmail.net

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