Earliest meeting: Thursday 6th October 1774
Final meeting: Friday 3rd April 1846
The small Wiltshire market town of Highworth can be found some 10 kilometres north east of Swindon. It is situated in a glorious part of the country and is described as the gateway to the Cotswolds. Although today it boasts a population of over 8000, back in the latter part of the 18th century it was much smaller and more rural. The town organised its own 2 day race meeting, beginning on Thursday 6th and extending to Friday 7th October 1774, on Highworth Common. The opening 2 mile Purse, valued at 50 guineas, was sponsored by Joseph Cope and won by Creampot owned by Mr Alexander. On the second day the feature was a 4 mile weight for age contest won by Jerry Sneak owned by Lord S Hamilton. Races continued intermittently and were still being staged on Friday 3rd April 1846 when a steeplechase meeting took place, starting with a sweepstake which was won by Mr Haines’s The Monk who beat Stockbridge and Flatcatcher. The steeplechase course consisted of 33 fences and every description of obstacle, with the concluding event going to Mr Simmond’s Champagne who got the better of Sartorious and Harry Hie-Over. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Lord S Hamilton, Joseph Cope |
| Principal Races |
Joseph Cope 50 Guineas Purse, Highworth Weight for Age Handicap |
Friday 7th October 1774
Highworth Weight for Age Handicap over 4 miles
1. Jerry Sneak, grey horse owned by Lord S Hamilton
2. Unnamed 5 year old bay mare owned by Mr Sidebottom
3. Squirrel, brown horse owned by Mr Child |
| The final meeting took place on Friday 3rd April 1846. |
| Course today |
On Highworth Common. |
| 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. |
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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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