Earliest meeting: October 1816
Final meeting: Tuesday 25th October 1831
The Shropshire village of Hodnet has a rich history and was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book when known as Odenett. The Royal Manor of Hodnet was owned by Edward The Confessor and held by Roger de Montgomery after 1066. Hodnet Castle was built in 1082, although it was destroyed by fire in 1264. The right to hold a weekly fair was granted to the village by Henry III, and Hodnet was also allowed to hold an annual market. In the early days of the 19th century the village held its own race meetings, the first being a 2 day meeting in October 1816. The ‘County History of Shropshire’ recorded that racing was held at Hodnet between 1816 and 1831, with 2 days of racing held at various dates. The final meeting took place on Tuesday 25th October 1831, opening with a 2 mile Sweepstake won by Mr Clay’s Alice Grey beating Merrylegs. The card was completed with a final Cavalry Purse restricted to Officers of the North Shropshire Yeomanry which was won by Frolic owned by Mr Walmesley. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
North Shropshire Yeomanry |
| Principal Races |
Hodnet Sweepstake Purse |
The ‘County History of Shropshire’ records that racing was held at Hodnet between 1816 and 1831, with 2 days of racing held at various dates. |
Tuesday 25th October 1831
Hodnet Sweepstake Purse over 2 miles
1. Sarah, brown mare owned by Mr Stanley
2. Rose, bay mare owned by Mr Shakeshaft
3. Poor Fellow, bay colt owned by Mr Cotton |
The final meeting took place on Tuesday 25th October 1831. |
| Course today |
In farmland on the outskirts of the village. |
| 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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