Earliest meeting: Friday 24th June 1881
Final meeting: Saturday 27th June 1885
The South Hampshire area of Chandlers Ford lies in the Borough of Eastleigh, situated on the Winchester to Southampton road. The name of the town derives from two distinct sources, the Ford part coming from nearby Monks Brook ford and the Chandler part from an important local family called the Chaundlers. The town held race meetings in the late 19th century which were billed as the ‘South Hants Steeplechases’, with the first meeting under Grand National rules taking place in June 1882. However, a meeting not under rules had been staged the previous year on Friday 24th June 1881. Although the races only lasted for a 4 year period, there were a number of 2 day meetings held each year, firstly during Whitsun, then a Midsummer meeting and one just before Christmas. The course, complete with grandstand, was located in fields close to the railway station and was described in the local paper as ‘presenting a lovely appearance to those who had come to drink a draught of nature’. The well supported meetings came to an end on Saturday 27th June 1885. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Earl of Buchan, Lord Cardross, Sir Hugh Crawford-Pollock |
| Principal Races |
Stoneham Stakes, Corinthian Hunters’ Flat race, Licensed Victuallers Open Chase |
Monday 4th August 1884
Corinthian Hunters Flat race
1. Armiger, chestnut gelding owned by Mr J Grieve
2. Baron Hill, 5 year old owned by Sir C de Crespigny
3. Topsy, aged horse owned by Mr A Soffe |
The final meeting took place on Saturday 27th June 1885. |
| Course today |
In fields close to the railway station |
| 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 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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. |
| ORDER FORM |
| Download an order form |
| |
Quantity |
Cost |
| Volume 1 North of Hatfield £19.99 + £4 postage |
|
|
| Volume 2 South of Hatfield £14.99 + £3 postage |
|
|
| Volume 3 Wales & Scotland £9.99 + £3 postage |
|
|
| Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
|
|
| Volumes 1 - 4 £54.96 + £5 postage |
|
|
| Postage & Packaging |
|
|
| Total |
|
|
| Email order form to johnwslusar@gmail.com |
|