Stockton Racecourse
Stockton Racecourse (September 1855 - 16 June 1981), also known as Teesside Park, was a British horse racing venue near Stockton-on-Tees in the north east of England, once considered "the finest in the north". Although named "Stockton Racecourse" there has never been a racecourse within Stockton-on-Tees, these courses were actually located across the River Tees in the North Riding of Yorkshire".[1]
Through the years, racing took place at three sites in Stockton.[2] The first of these was The Carrs, where racing first took place in 1724.[3] Racing was then discontinued in Stockton for many years, before being revived in September 1855 at Mandale Marshes, situated on a loop in the River Tees.[4] The Mandale course was 1 3/4 mile round with two stands - the Stewards Stand and the Grand Stand. In three days racing in 1864, the attendance was 36,000.[1]
At one time, local factories closed down especially for race week.[5] However, the course went into decline after World War II, losing out to the competing attractions of cinema and TV. It finally closed on 16 June 1981 due to falling attendances. The last winner was a horse called Suniti.[2]
The site is now a shopping centre called Teesside Park.
See also
References
Bibliography
- Heavisides, Henry (1865). The Annals of Stockton-on-Tees, with biographical notices. Stockton-on-Tees: Heavisides.