Earliest meeting: Monday 21st June 1869
Final meeting: Monday 13th March 1876
The East Sussex village of Rotherfield, on the River Rother, is in the Wealden district of the county. Along with neighbouring Mark Cross and Eridge, Rotherfield forms one of the largest parishes in the county. Back in the late 1800s the village had its own racecourse, billed as Rotherfield and Inchreed Races, which first held races on Monday 21st June 1869. The one mile all grass racecourse was on Inchreed Farm, the residence of ‘King Hemsley’, located a mile and a half from Rotherfield Station. The crowd was boosted by the generosity of the Railway Company who offered return fares for single prices. The opening Inchreed Stakes was won by Novice for Mr Lywood, while the feature Rotherfield Cup saw Silvertail beat Antelope and Flora.The meeting was successful and the next year was repeated on Friday 23rd September 1870 on the same course. The Tunbridge Wells Plate went to Hohenlinden, while the Rotherfield Cup was won by Shoebury. Further meetings followed annually until a final card took place on Monday 13th March 1876.
Friday 23rd September 1870
Rotherfield Cup over 1 ½ miles and 5 hurdles
1. Shoebury, 4 year old owned by Mr W Cooke
2. Punctuality, 3 year old owned by Mr Richards
3. Wild Briar, aged horse owned by Mr Stock
I am grateful to William Morgan, author of 'Strongholds of Satan', and to Nigel and Jennifer Patty who live at Inchreed Farm, for the photo showing the land on which the races were held.
The final meeting took place on Monday 13th March 1876.
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
