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Can anyone tell me when the very first bumper race was run in the UK? Thanks.
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Could be a trick question as Downpatrick and Down Royal are in the UK.
Certainly in the 60s they were confined to Ireland. Think they started in GB in the 70s,but I'm obviously not an expert. |
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1st one at chelt fest 92ish.certainly run 87/88. sorry my records don't go back any further.
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I know they had them in 1979 but was wondering when the first one was. Thanks for the replies.
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I doubt whether it was much earlier than 79 pauli,but my memory may be playing tricks.
At first I'm sure they were confined to amateurs and conditionals as they had been in Ireland. |
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I was just curious salmon. I think the initial bumper races were run without betting although I stand to be corrected. Thanks again.
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Hurdle Racing Popularized
Racing over hurdles enjoyed huge popularity in the 1870s and 80s. The most important race was the Grand International Hurdle, run at Croydon, until that course was forced to close in 1890, and later at Gatwick. With the exception of the Grand National, the Grand International was the only jumps race that attracted any great betting interest. Entries were announced in January and from then, until the race was run in March, the prices of the leading candidates would be noted in the sporting papers, together with any significant wagers. Usually, the Grand International attracted a decent field, sometimes including recruits from the Flat or a Grand National candidate having a run over hurdles. The Grand International was not the only hurdle race with an attractive prize fund. In 1885, for instance, eight of the top ten prizes over jumps were run over hurdles. As well as steeplechases and hurdles, most cards featured Hunters Flat Races, which provided an introduction to the sport for young horses and jockeys. These races, which continued throughout the summer months, remained popular in the 1890s. In the twentieth century they were run as National Hunt Flat Races, but they disappeared prior to World War Two. It wasn't until 1978 that they were re-introduced in Britain. They remain unpopular with some racegoers and punters, but continue to play an important educational role. During the 1870s a challenger to the Grand National emerged. In 1874 the Bristol Royal Chase offered a total prize fund of £1,805, only £100 short of the Grand National. However, subsequent renewals were much less generously endowed, and by 1888 Bristol had fallen by the wayside. interesting article, good question pauli . http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Steeplechase/SteepleGB.html |
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Lol.
I had a feeling they might have been around before even wee eck could remember. That's a very good site generally elise. |
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yes, when blackbarn was researching silks i was looking for historical stuff on the net, obviously far less than for the last 20 years but i found a few sites and books that chronicle further back and this was one of them
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Great article elise. Thank you.
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pleasure, i enjoyed reading it too
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Still havent cleared up your " no betting " theory pauli
I thought the same as yourself It may have been available on course but not relayed to LBOs ????? |