Earliest meeting: Wednesday 23rd August 1826
Final meeting: Tuesday 18th September 1827
The Somerset village of Martock, just 11 miles north west of Yeovil, held its own race meetings for 2 years, initially on Wednesday 23rd August 1826 when the efforts of the East Somerset Yeomanry were celebrated. The East Somerset Yeomanry Cup was won by Mr Symes’ Virgin ridden by S.Sherborne, while the Hunters’ Cup saw Witch beat Grimace. The following year a meeting was staged on Tuesday 18th September 1827, and the results were deemed to be sufficiently important to be included in the Sporting Magazine. The opening Martock Stakes over 2 miles was won by Mr White’s Pavilion who beat Gas Light and Habberley, while the concluding Handicap Stakes saw Lottery defeat Governess. Despite the obvious success of the meetings there are no further records of racing taking place in the village. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr Chambers, Mr Westbrook, Mr White, Mr Symes |
| Principal Races |
Martock Stewards Cup, Martock Stakes, Martock Handicap |
Tuesday 18th September 1827 |
The Martock Stakes over 2 miles
1. Pavilion owned by Mr White
2. Gas Light owned by Mr Chambers
3. Habberley owned by Mr Kichards
Martock Stewards Cup over 2 miles
1. Gas Light owned by Mr Chambers
2. Lottery owned by Mr Westbrook
3. Governess owned by Mr Symes
Martock Handicap Stakes over 2 miles
1. Lottery owned by Mr Westbrook
2. Governess owned by Mr Symes |
| The final meeting took place on Tuesday 18th September 1827 |
| Course today |
In fields on the outer edge 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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