Earliest meeting: Tuesday 24th September 1867
Final meeting: Wednesday 7th September 1870
The small West Dorset town of Beaminster is located 15 miles from the county town of Dorchester. It is situated on the River Brit and was a centre for the manufacture of linen and woollens. In the latter part of the 19th century it had its own racecourse on Beaminster Downs by kind permission of the lord of the manor, also known as the West Dorset racecourse, which began racing on Tuesday 24th September 1867 with a six race card. The course had a deep valley on the opposite side to the grandstand and welcomed a crowd of over 4000 to the first meeting. Although flat and hurdle racing was on the card in 1867, National Hunt steeplechases first started in 1868. The meetings lasted for 3 years before a final card was organised on Wednesday 7th September 1870. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Sir F Johnstone |
| Principal Races |
Beaminster Stakes, West Dorset Open Hurdle, Bridport Selling Stakes |
Tuesday 24th September 1867
West Dorset Stakes over 1 mile
1. Camellia, 6 year old owned by Sir F Johnstone
2. Allow Me, aged horse owned by Mr W Carlisle
3. Aeolus, 4 year old owned by Mr T Barrett |
| The final meeting took place on Wednesday 7th September 1870. |
| Course today |
On Beaminster Downs for the early 4 year period of racing under rules, but point to point races were later staged at Pipsford Farm from 1904. |
| 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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