CHANDLERS FORD RACECOURSE

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Earliest meeting: Friday 24th June 1881
Final meeting: Saturday 27th June 1885
The South Hampshire area of Chandlers Ford, in the Borough of Eastleigh, is situated on the Winchester to Southampton road. The name of the town derives from two distinct sources, the Ford part coming from nearby Monks Brook ford and the Chandler part from an important local family called the Chaundlers. The town held race meetings in the late 19th century with the first meeting under Grand National rules taking place in June 1882. However, a meeting not under rules had been staged the previous year on Friday 24th June 1881. Although the races only lasted for a 4 year period, there were a number of 2 day meetings held each year, firstly during Whitsun, then a Midsummer meeting and one just before Christmas. The course, complete with grandstand, was located in fields close to the railway station and was described in the local paper as ‘presenting a lovely appearance to those who had come to drink a draught of nature’.  The well supported meetings came to an end on Saturday 27th June 1885.

This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below.
Local Patrons Earl of Buchan, Lord Cardross, Sir Hugh Crawford-Pollock
Principal Races Stoneham Stakes, Corinthian Hunters’ Flat race, Licensed Victuallers Open Chase

Monday 4th August 1884
Corinthian Hunters Flat race
1. Armiger, chestnut gelding owned by Mr J Grieve
2. Baron Hill, 5 year old owned by Sir C de Crespigny
3. Topsy, aged horse owned by Mr A Soffe

I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below.

The final meeting took place on Saturday 27th June 1885.

Course today In fields close to the railway station
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

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.
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