Newmarket Town Plate 1950's

[Exploding Chestnuts]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUqiO21lvQs
There are four racecourses at Newmarket, this one is over three miles!

 

[cundlegreen]

There are only two racecourses in Newmarket, the July, and the Rowley mile. you are probably thinking of the links gallops on the other side of the road. I rode in the Town plate in the 80's, when it was open to amateurs of both sexes, but you couldn't ride in the race unless you had worked for a trainer or permit holder, and they had to state that you were of a sufficient standard to take place. You went down the July course for about 2 furlongs, then through a gate to the back of the National Stud where we started. We raced for 3 and 3/4 miles carrying 12 stone, and came all the way round right handed, including right up close to the A14. there was an incident a few years later, where a TV presenter had a go at it, and fell off, and wasn't too happy about it! It was a long way, and you had to be fit. those were the days! In my race, there were a couple of Anglo arabs took part.

 

[SpringArising]

That was so fun to watch. I'm in Newmarket a lot so it was interesting to see what it looked like then.

CG is right though, there's only two courses.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

That was so fun to watch. I'm in Newmarket a lot so it was interesting to see what it looked like then.

CG is right though, there's only two courses.

Well, when I was at the National Stud they claimed that their part of the course meant there are three altogether, sorry should have said three. I got mixed up 'cos in 1961 it was four miles!
The new museum and the new gallery are now open ....... both deserve a two hour visit, and there is a fine bistro plus a shop

 

[SpringArising]

Well, when I was at the National Stud they claimed that their part of the course meant there are three altogether, sorry should have said three. I got mixed up 'cos in 1961 it was four miles!
The new museum and the new gallery are now open ....... both deserve a two hour visit, and there is a fine bistro plus a shop

And a fantastic tack shop :wink3:

 

[Spilletta]

Very interesting video and subsequent posts

Sometimes wish I could get hold of those old-fashioned breeches and a yellow jumper to ride out in!

Thank you for posting this.

Eta: visited the museum last year before the work was finished and am looking forward for a chance to visit the new one. Ashamed that I can't remember the name of the wonderful chap who oversaw my go on the simulator but he was great. His dad has a road in Newmarket named after him and it's on the tip of my tongue...

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Very interesting video and subsequent posts

Sometimes wish I could get hold of those old-fashioned breeches and a yellow jumper to ride out in!

Thank you for posting this.

Eta: visited the museum last year before the work was finished and am looking forward for a chance to visit the new one. Ashamed that I can't remember the name of the wonderful chap who oversaw my go on the simulator but he was great. His dad has a road in Newmarket named after him and it's on the tip of my tongue...

Was it Alfie, who beat Sir Gordon Richards in a close finish ....... he had me on the simulator [which bucks] and showed me the Newmarket style of holding the reins.
Sadly Alfie passed away, gone but not forgotten.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Alfie Westwood RIP
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/tri...ockey-racing/story-28227670-detail/story.html

http://www.williemusson.co.uk/html/alfie.html

There is a good bit of journalism on Newmarket
http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/n...-classic-winner-helped-racing-empire-1-550983

 

[popsdosh]

There is indeed a third course in Newmarket( The round course) the one used for the Town plate however it is not official as its not under rules . Back in history there were at least another 10 courses which were in use and indeed a national hunt course at the Links. Most of which covered parts of the now official courses of which there are two.

 

[Spilletta]

Was it Alfie, who beat Sir Gordon Richards in a close finish ....... he had me on the simulator [which bucks] and showed me the Newmarket style of holding the reins.
Sadly Alfie passed away, gone but not forgotten.

Having done a quick internet search to remind myself, I can tell you it was John Snaith. Willie Snaith Road is named after his father.

Whilst Willie had a successful career as a jockey, John’s racing days were sadly cut short aged 28 by a horrible fall in the 1983 Topham. He didn’t mention that at all during our visit, but I read an extract from the book “Warriors on Horseback” by John Carter. This link should take you to chapter 1 of the book where it weaves the stories of Willie and John: https://issuu.com/bloomsburypublishing/docs/warriors_on_horseback

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Having done a quick internet search to remind myself, I can tell you it was John Snaith. Willie Snaith Road is named after his father.

Whilst Willie had a successful career as a jockey, John’s racing days were sadly cut short aged 28 by a horrible fall in the 1983 Topham. He didn’t mention that at all during our visit, but I read an extract from the book “Warriors on Horseback” by John Carter. This link should take you to chapter 1 of the book where it weaves the stories of Willie and John: https://issuu.com/bloomsburypublishing/docs/warriors_on_horseback

Thanks for the update and for the link, I am going to read it in snatches, as it is a book to be savoured. Chock full of the flavour of the game.