Earliest meeting: Thursday 12th March 1885
Final meeting: Thursday 19th March 1908
The magnificent Belvoir Castle lies in the Leicestershire Wolds in what was once the historic county of Rutland. It was gifted to the Dukes of Rutland who were, at that stage in history, the Manners family. In the mid-1700s the Belvoir Hunt came into being and fox hunting began in the county. It was to be over 100 years before the hunting group extended their interest to include racing. The Belvoir Hunt meetings were held on the racecourse close to the village of Ingoldsby, over a mile and a quarter steeplechase course containing 10 jumps and two water jumps, the inaugural meeting taking place on Thursday 12th March 1885. One of the challenges facing the course was its ability to attract a crowd, given that there were no major towns nearby and the transport links were difficult. The racecourse was able to use its hunting links in order to survive and was often supported by the Leicestershire Quorn Hunt and the Northamptonshire Pytchley Hunt. Indeed, in 1894 a meeting just between these two Hunts was arranged. The final meeting took place on Thursday 19th March 1908, although for a prolonged period after this event point to point events were staged.
Lightweight Steeplechase, Tally-Ho Chase, Heavyweight Farmers’ Race, Grantham Steeplechase, Welter Red Coat Race
The racecourse was able to use its hunting links in order to survive and was often supported by the Leicestershire Quorn Hunt and the Northamptonshire Pytchley Hunt. Indeed, in 1894 a meeting just between these two Hunts was arranged.
Thursday 19th March 1908
Welter Red Coat Handicap
1. Melrose II
2. Ben Nevis III
3. Gamester III
Betting: Evens Melrose, 5/1 Gamester, 10/1 Ben Nevis.
The final meeting took place on Thursday 19th March 1908.
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
