Earliest meeting: Wednesday 1st May 1839
Final meeting: Wednesday 19th April 1843
The Worcestershire village of Inkberrow was known as Intanbeorgan in the 9th Century and did not become known as Inkberrow until the 16th century. Its main claim to fame today is that it is thought the famous radio programme, The Archers, was based upon the village, with Inkberrow even having a pub called The Bull. The village held its own races for two years in the 1840s, although both years were disappointing. The first steeplechase meeting was held on Wednesday 1st May 1839 starting in Mr Richard Adcock’s field and extending 2 miles to Mr John Ganderton’s field. A good field contested the chase which was won by Wildboy for Mr Holyoak, defeating Clara and Madcap. The meeting scheduled for Thursday 14th April 1842 had to be cancelled in the end due to insufficient runners registered in order to make it a viable event. The next year the meeting did take place on Wednesday 19th April 1843 on a course on the edge of the village, consisting of part arable and part meadowland complete with 15 fences. Entries were made at the Bulls’ Head Inn, owned by Mr John Laugher, but on the day there were no entries for one of the races and just seven for the feature Sweepstake. The sport was described as wretched and the eventual winner was the horse which finished last. Of the 7 runners, 3 failed to complete, and the first 3 home all were disqualified for taking an incorrect course. So the winner was declared as Cora, the horse which finished 4th and last. It was decided that Inkberrow races had reached the finishing line.
Wednesday 19th April 1843
Inkberrow Sweepstake over 2 miles
1. Cora, chestnut mare owned by Mr Perks
Disq. Maid of the Mill, aged horse owned by Mr R Williams
Disq. Miss Norman, bay mare owned by Mr Burney
Disq. Little Robert, bay gelding owned by Mr W Scott
I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below.
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The only recorded meeting took place on Wednesday 19th April 1843.
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
