Vincent Hinde Collection

Gatwick Racecourse

Earliest meeting: Wednesday 7th October 1891
Final meeting: Saturday 15th June 1940
Much better known as an airport, the old Gatwick Racecourse was situated midway between London and Brighton and first opened for business on Wednesday 7th October 1891. The old Manor of Gatwick, and its surrounding estate, was owned by Mr John Farlow, and he sold it on 13th December 1890. The course was an oval of a mile and 7 furlongs with the slightest of inclines, and the main course joined the straight mile course with about 5 furlongs to the winning post. The Aintree Grand National was run at Gatwick on 3 occasions during the first World War. On Friday 24th March 1916 the Grand National was also called the ‘Race Course Association Steeplechase’ and saw Vermouth beat Irish Mail and Schoolmoney. The next year ‘The War National Steeplechase’ was held on Wednesday 21st March 1917 being won by Sir G Bullogh’s Ballymacad, getting the better of Chang and Ally Sloper. The final time Gatwick hosted the Grand National was on Thursday 21st March 1918 when Poethlyn was ridden to victory in the hands of E.Piggot for Mr Hugh Peel. Once War broke out in 1939 it was highly likely that the vast open space of Gatwick would be used by the military. A final two day National Hunt was staged on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th March 1940, while the final Flat race meeting took place on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th June 1940. The badge shown below is thought to be an 1891 Members badge.