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I’ve always been interested in what happened to closed racecourses and if there is any trace of them.
I’ve been checking the overhead photos of various locations. One track I was surprised to see can still be traced fairly easily is Croxton Park near Croxton Kerrial in Leicestershire. The overhead photoshows that the line of the track is clear. Does anyone know what the track is used for now? Is there anyone training horses there?
Rob
I’ve not got it to hand with me just now, but does Chris Pitt’s book cover it in any detail? That’s generally my first port of call for all things dead racecourse-related.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
I’ve only got the first edition of Chris Pitt’s book and there’s no mention of what happened to the course after it closed. Pitt’s book was the starting point for the search. A look at the aerial photo shows the course clearly recognisable as such about a mile or so SW of Croxton Kerrial. It looks to me as if there are some hurdles or fences in the home straight area, which made me wonder if it was being used by a trainer.
A few courses not covered in the book, that’s pre-1900 closures, can still be clearly seen from above. Oswestry and Morpeth are among the best examples.
Rob
Stands out like a sore thumb on Goggle Maps, rob – though it looks like the obstacles have been removed.
In fact, Google Maps is probably an ideal complementary tool for your research, I would have thought.
NB. The words "complementary tool" are not intended to be offensive.
NB. The words "complementary tool" are not intended to be offensive.
Although this isn’t the first time you’ve used the expression, is it?
Had a look on Google Earth and it looks a bit heart shaped that is if i am looking at the right field.
On a same vein if you look at Southwell you can see and outline of the old course before it became an oval.
I came a bit late into this discussion – searching Google for any info on Croxton Kerrial race track. I live just down the road from the track in Waltham on the Wolds, and have always been fascinated by the place. If anyone has any photos, or more information, please do let me know. There’s many other people locally that share my interest, and they’d love to get any more history of the place – especially photos.
I’ve got the updated version of Chris’s book which still only covers the races themselves. On the subject of old racecourses, we drove past the stands of the old Lincoln Racecourse on the way back from Market Rasen; I really don’t think I’d like to be there late at night..even in broad daylight there was such an atmosphere to the place.
You should all get up to Lewes racecourse – can still see the old concrete running rails and the hometurn etc. – really was a hairpin near enough. Now Jim Best, Suzy Smith, Gerry Enright etc.’s gallops.
The outline of the track at Richmond in Yorkshire was still clearly defined a few years ago when I was last there – probably used as gallops but definitely good for dog walkers too. The ruins of the 18th century stand could still be seen.
I can still find very little on the net regarding Croxton Park and it’s use after closure. Very frustrating for a sad anorak!
When searching though I found it had a minesweeper named after it, as did 31 other courses!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racecourse … inesweeper
Today’s useless fact was brought to you by ……
Rob
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