Horse racing continues to be one of the most enjoyable sporting experiences in the United Kingdom and Ireland. However, for Birmingham locals, we need to travel out of the city centre to experience some of the best racing action in the country.
Certainly, that isn’t an issue with Cheltenham being a short distance away on the train, and courses also located in nearby commuting areas of Warwick, Worcester, and Stratford-upon-Avon. However, the city centre previously had its own home track called Bromford Bridge.
When Did Racing Take Place At Bromford Bridge?
It would have been strange to realise that racing previously took place at a track in the Second City. However, this was the case between 1895 and 1965. The first-ever horse-related meeting took place in Birmingham way back in May 1747, but it is unknown where that race took place at Hall Green, Smethwick and Handsworth could have all hosted the event.
However, Bromford Bridge became the home of racing in Birmingham due to the course having the space in the countryside as well as still being commutable from the city. The course opened its doors for the first time in 1894 and covered a total of 42 acres. The first meeting held at the course took place on Friday, June 14th, with the second day of racing taking place the following day. Birmingham fans were able to watch the first race to take place at the track on the Friday, which was the Midland Welter Handicap, which was won by Philology.
Raceday Experience
Many historians and jockeys have pointed towards the incredible facilities that were available at the course throughout their experiences. Bernard Wells, a national hunt jockey, claimed that when it came to National Hunt courses in the Midlands, only Cheltenham was superior to Bromford Bridge. He also recalled that the stables were the best in England and the facilities for jockeys, spectators and owners were among the best in the country.
It wasn’t just a popular course for jumps racing either, as Ruff’s Guide to the Turf recalled that after Newmarket, Bromford Bridge was the best straight mile course in the UK. One of the most popular meetings on the calendar was the racing that took place on Easter Monday. This meeting continued to be well attended, until the course was closed.
Getting to the course was straightforward for people from the city, as it was located on the line between New Street and Derby. However, the racecourse station was closed shortly after the track.
Demise & Final Meeting
During the 1960s, racecourse attendances at the track were down to all-time lows, as only 5,000 were attending. This was largely to do with spectators opting to attend Warwick, Stratford and Worcester meetings. Organisers attempting many strategies to boost attendances, including free ladies admission, Saturday night racing, and performances from pop groups. However, the council’s bid of £1.25 million to buy the racecourse and plans to transform the track into a housing estate was accepted in 1964.
The farewell meeting was a sad day for racing fans, and took place on Monday, June 21st, 1965. A huge crowd attended the final day of racing, with nearly 10,000 in attendance. Legendary jockey Lester Piggott first rode at the track in 1948 and claimed a winner on the final raceday when onboard London Way in the Letherby & Christopher Handicap Stakes.
