History of Hexham Racecourse

**NEW** - You can now view archive footage of a race meeting in 1922 - more details lower down the page.

Hexham Racecourse is now Northumberland's only racecourse. Perched on Yarridge Heights high above the historic market town, Hexham Racecourse has been the home of National Hunt racing in Northumberland for well over a century. The site takes full advantage of a natural amphitheatre of sloping grass below the stands to provide superb viewing of the racecourse as well as the magnificent surrounding countryside.

Other sites of race meetings including Rothbury, Belford, Elsdon, Wark and Morpeth have come and gone. Gosforth has changed counties.

Racing in the district was first recorded on Tyne Green, Hexham in the 1720s. Articles for a specific meeting on 3rd May 1738 on Tyne Green are in existence. By 1793 articles were showing racing to be taking place on Hexham Race Ground and there is little doubt that meetings held from then onwards were held at Yarridge.

After 1850 Wark Races took much of Hexham's custom; this combined with farming taking place on the site, sent Hexham into decline and by 1880 racing had ceased altogether.

However, in 1890 racing was restarted under National Hunt Rules by a great local enthusiast, Charles William Chipchase Henderson of the Riding.

At a meeting of county gentry, he was asked to take on the task which he did with enthusiasm, and assumed full responsibility for both management and finance.

Between 1890 and 1900, permanent buildings were erected, a few of which survive to this day, painted white but with the blue and yellow of the Henderson racing colours on gutters and doors. He planted the natural beech wings and, in 1907 bought the land off the Bywell Estate. Everything was done at his personal expense.

In 1907 the "town and trade of Hexham" presented the Heart of All England Cup and the Heart of All England Steeplechase which is still the best known and most popular race to be ridden on the course. The name so often associated with the district was supposed to have been given by James I of England who, whilst riding just south of Hexham on his way to assume the English crown said: "verily this is the heart of all England".

Mr. Henderson died in 1914 and ownership of the racecourse passed on to his son Captain Stephen Henderson, who in 1926 turned the racecourse into a private limited company in which several local families had shares although the Henderson family has kept the controlling shareholding.

Pathé News Archive Footage

You can view a fabulous silent clip (approx 2 mins) of Hexham Races in 1922 from the Pathé News Archive by clicking on the image below.

War Years

The course and Buildings were requisitioned as an ammunition site during the 1939-1945 war.

Racing started again at Whitsuntide 1946 under the direction of Mr. C.D. Patterson and has continued without a break until the present day.

1990 New weighing room, sponsors rooms and officials boxes completed.

1993 The Federation Brewery financed the Buchanan Rooms (3 Boxes).

1997 Watering system installed and lake constructed. 1998 Ramshaw stand built with help from the Horserace Betting Levy Board, European Community, Federation Brewery and the Tote.

1998 (October) Tote Betting Shop completed.

Find out where the racecourse is located here.

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