|
KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF PLUMPTON RACECOURSE |
|
1847 |
1 October |
Haywards Heath to Lewes railway line opened |
|
c 1870 |
|
Ashurst Farm, Plumpton purchased by Mr. W.F. Wheatley |
|
1876 |
28 Dec |
First enclosed hare coursing meeting at Plumpton |
|
1882 |
2 May |
Plumpton Coursing Company Ltd, established. |
|
1884 |
11 Feb |
First horse race meeting at Plumpton. |
|
1889 |
6 April |
Hare coursing meetings ceased. |
|
1889 |
11 Nov. |
Plumpton Coursing Company Ltd. Dissolved. |
|
1892 |
|
New steeplechase course introduced, incorporating extended circuit behind stands. |
|
1901 |
22 April |
Annual Southdown Hunt Races held at Plumpton (continued until 1914). |
|
1902 |
1 March |
Plumpton Racecourse Limited established. Pratt and Co take responsibility for management. |
|
1902 |
|
New two mile hurdle chute start in centre of course introduced. |
|
1902 |
26 March |
Hare coursing re-introduced. |
|
1904 |
|
Tattersalls Grandstand transferred from defunct Northampton racecourse. |
|
1908 |
2 October |
Final hare coursing meeting. |
|
1915 |
3 April |
Final meeting for duration of World War I. |
|
1919 |
17 Dec. |
Racing resumes after World War I. |
|
1932 |
2 April |
Southdown Hunt Bona Fide Hunt meeting held at Plumpton (continued until 1939). |
|
1941 |
8 March |
Final meeting for duration of World War II. |
|
1946 |
20 Feb. |
Racing resumes after World War II Water jump relocated in front of stands to back straight. |
|
1961 |
|
Course purchased by Isidore Kerman. |
|
1962 |
|
Brow of hill on inside course reduced in height to improve viewing. |
|
1964 |
|
New hostel for stable staff opened. |
|
1967 |
|
New Members Enclosure Stand (The Regency Stand now Sussex Stand) opened. |
|
1969 |
|
Installation of water system. |
|
1972 |
|
Racecourse stables increased from 39 to 76 boxes. Old stable yard ceased to be used. |
|
1973 |
17 Aug. |
Silver Ring enclosure amalgamated with Tattersalls. |
|
1983 |
26 April |
New weighing room opened by Sir Ian Trethowan. |
|
1984 |
17 Aug. |
Course realigned (water jump and open ditch moved chase course moved to outside in home straight). |
|
1987 |
3 March |
Pavilion Stand (now Southdown Stand) opened by Sir Ian Trethowan. |
|
1990 |
|
Kybo Stand (now Lewes Stand) opened |
|
1996 |
4 Nov. |
Lingfield Park assume responsibility for management. |
|
1998 |
13 March |
Plumpton Racecourse purchased by Mr. Peter Savill and Capt. Adrian Pratt. |
|
1999 |
5 April |
Water jump used for the final time. |
|
1999 |
13 Sept. |
Steeplechase and hurdle race courses realigned (steeplechases on outside and hurdles on inside throughout). All weather parade walk in front of stands opened. |
