Earliest meeting: Friday 7th May 1841
Final meeting: Friday 3rd May 1878
The village of Beckford and the nearby Bredon Hill are both located in Worcestershire, south west of Evesham and near to Tewksbury. The area was once famous for its racecourse and first held races in the first week of May 1841 ‘under the auspices’ of Joseph Freeman. After a 3 race programme, consisting of a Silver Cup Hurdle race, a race for galloways and one for ponies, there were several pugilistic encounters and an aristocratic game of Aunt Sally. The course was located a mile from Beckford on Bredon Hill. Races continued to be well supported for the next 22 years until the final meeting took place on Friday 3rd May 1878. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Patrons |
Joseph Freeman |
| Principal races |
Beckford Silver Cup, Beckford Hunters Steeplechase, Scurry Stakes |
Tuesday 1st April 1856
Beckford Sweepstakes over 4 miles
1. Rebecca, bay mare owned by Mr Barnard
2. Ironbrace, bay gelding owned by Mr Sommers
3. Motley, bay gelding owned by Mr Byers |
| Course today |
On Bredon Hill just a mile from Beckford. |
| 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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