HULL

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Pre 1905        Credits    260

FIRST MEETING

Although records show that racing took place on the Anlaby Road course as early as 1734, the first recorded at the Hedon course, under the direction of the East Riding Club, was held on Friday 24th August 1888. The meeting consisted of 6 races including a seller, the Hedon Plate and the Astley Handicap.

SITUATED

At the East Riding Club on Twyers’ Estate close to the town of Hedon. The club was formed in 1883 with the sole reason of organising flat, hurdle and steeplechase races and the course was unusual in that it had a one mile straight. (see below for details of 1 mile races). In 1901 the races were taken over by the Hull Racecourse Company Limited and they remained in charge until the final meeting in 1909.

DISTANCES

5 furlongs and upwards.

PRINCIPAL RACE

Great East Riding Handicap run over a mile. Also races run over the straight mile and a cup remains today, the Benninga Cup awarded to the winner of the Hull and East Riding one mile championship.

Picture below donated by Geoff Green.

WORLD WAR I

Had already closed before the outbreak of War.

WORLD WAR II

Closed by 1939

FACT

Races did take place at Hull as early as 1760, although they were brought to an abrupt end in 1796 when jockey George Herring was killed after riding Gypsy. He had previously won the St Leger on Hollandaise and was an excellent horseman, but he was thrown from her 3 times altogether, the final time proving fatal.

QUESTION

Which jockey rode a double, winning the last 2 races, at the last meeting to be held at Hull?

CURRENT SITUATION

Very little evidence of the previous existence of a racecourse, with the grandstand being sold in 1924, and the land used as an aerodrome later on.

LAST MEETING

11^th September 1909

If you have :-

a favourite memory of this racecourse;

photos or a postcard of the course;

a members badge from the course, either to sell or as a scan;

then email me at johnslusar at fsmail.net and I will include the details on this site together with an acknowledgement for you.

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