TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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Grateful thanks to Richard English for providing the race flyer shown below

Records show that racing took place at Tunbridge Wells as early as 1824,with spells of racing from 1824 until 1836, again from 1838 until 1849 and the final meeting took place on 11th September 1851. However, Bowra's famous maps show evidence of a racecourse as early as 1738.

Racing resumed in 1856 just down the road at Tonbridge and continued until 11th September 1874.

Key Questions answered:-

I am very grateful to Robin Johnson for the following details:-

The racecourse remains a local landmark and it is still possible to walk round the entire course which is now a bridleway. It can be found on Major York's Road which links the A26 and A264.

The races were held on the town common (or Higher) ground throughout the 18th century, usually as a side attraction to cricket matches. Whilst the first recorded cricket match was in 1782, detail is given in Lady Jane Coke's diary that cricket and racing did take place in 1750. Race meetings were held twice a year, in August and September, where a stand and enclosure were provided. It was unfortunate that race meetings were places where unruly behaviour and drunkenness took place, and this caused the locals to petition against racing in 1845. It was not until 6 years later that they were successful in stopping the meetings.

Tunbridgeq.JPG (112057 bytes)

AUGUST 1834

The Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria attended the 1834 Tunbridge Wells meeting.
Records show that on Wednesday 22nd August and Thursday 23rd August 1849 a two day meet took place, each day starting at 1 o,clock. The first day saw the Eridge Stakes, The Steward's Plate and the Visitors Stakes. On the second day the Manor Stakes, The Town Plate and The Railway Stakes took place. The runners for the Eridge Stakes are shown below:-

ERIDGE STAKES ( 10 sovereigns to enter)

GISALLA                                6           8st 9lb        F R Clark

BEKBARA                              6           8st 4lb        Mr Hornsby

TIT-TAT                                 6           8st 0lb        Mr Baleham

ROSALINDA                          5           7st 10lb       Mr Tubbs

LOVELACE                            4           7st 10lb       Mr Land

GRIST                                    4           7st 10lb       C Formby

THE NORTHERN EAGLE     4           7st 5lb         Mr Masser

Unnamed                                 4            7st 4lb        Mr Formby

SECOND SIGHT                    3            6st 8lb        Mr Cowley

TELEGRAPH                         3            6st 4lb        Mr Cowley

DAMSON                               3            6st 0lb        Mr Cowley

If you can provide further information about this racecourse then email   johnslusar@fsmail.net

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