The earliest evidence of racing in the vicinity of Hexham was at Tyne Green in 1720, although the first races did not take place on the Hexham race ground until 1793, with details of two meetings held that year shown below courtesy of the Newcastle Courant. In the mid to late 19th century Hexham had to take a back seat when Wark races gained in popularity from 1854. However, Wark (North Tyneside) closed for the final time on 16th May 1878, providing Hexham with the opportunity to prepare for a relaunch. In 1890 racing resumed on 23rd April, masterminded by Charles William Chipchase Henderson, with full race details shown below, although it was a further ten years before permanent buildings began being built. Painted in distinctive blue and yellow, the racing colours of Charles Henderson, the same colours were used for member’s badges in the early years they were issued. In 1907 the Heart of All England Cup and Steeplechase were introduced into the programme for the first time, the race was recognised as the point to point championship in the area. It is thought that James VI of Scotland gave the ‘Heart of All England’ title in spite of Hadrian’s Wall being so close. A limited company was formed in 1926 under the directorship of Captain Stephen Henderson jnr, making the future of Hexham racecourse secure. Racing ceased during the war years, the site being used to store ammunition, but returned in 1946. A new weighing room was completed in 1990; a new watering system in 1997, and the Horse Race Levy Board helped to finance the Ramshaw Stand in 1998. Currently the course offers 15 fixtures annually.
For the opening meeting a Steward was Captain Atkinson; the Judge was H Patrickson; the Starter Nicholas Cornish, and the Honorary Secretary was Charles William Chipchase Henderson.
Wednesday 23rd April 1890
FIRST RACE: Yarridge Steeplechase Plate over 2 miles
1. Saunby, aged horse owned by Mr C Perkins
2. Bangor, 4 year old owned by Mr H Hall
3. Midget, 6 year old owned by Mr John Slater
4. Spring, 6 year old owned by Mr Laycock
The Northumbrian town of Rothbury first staged a three day race meeting on Rothbury Haugh in April 1759 sponsored primarily by Lord Northumberland. Just a year later, on Monday 14th April 1760, a meeting was organised but only three horses were present. Races were held intermittently for the next century, seldom more than one day a year and often in conjunction with a town festival or fair. The first occasion racing received wider recognition was in 1869 when results were included in the Racing Calendar. The principal race, the Rothbury Hunt Cup over 2 ½ miles, went to Mr Dale’s Rebecca at that early meeting. The course, close to the River, was always prone to flooding, which was more of a problem when they only raced once a year and relied on the profit from that meeting to subsidise the racecourse. Furthermore, the course lacked basic facilities, including sufficient stabling for the horses. Racing ceased between 1915 and 1919, in line with the majority of courses, and again between 1939 and 1945, returning after the war had ended on Saturday 27th April 1946. The situation became dire in the early 1960s when racing was abandoned in consecutive years between 1962 and 1963 due to flooding, so it was no surprise when the course was listed amongst those which the Levy Board stated they would no longer support financially after 1966. In the end the final meeting was staged on Saturday 10th April 1965.
Tuesday 28th April 1870
Rothbury Hunt Cup over 2 ½ miles
1. Cornustibij, bay mare owned by Mr T Forster
2. Primrose, brown mare owned by Mr G Turnbull
3. Independent, bay horse owned by Mr C Robson
The newspaper extracts shown below are from the Newcastle Courant of Thursday 22nd March 1739 and May 1739.
Wednesday 23rd April 1890
SECOND RACE: Tynedale-Haydon Hunt Plate over 4 miles
1. Woodlawn, aged horse owned by Mr C E Hunter
2. Sandboy, aged horse owned by Mr Laycock
3. Black Peter, aged horse owned by Mr F Straker
Wednesday 23rd April 1890
THIRD RACE: Open Hunters’ Steeplechase Plate over 3 ½ miles
1. Sir Herbert, aged horse owned by Mr C J Cunningham
2. Parseproud, 5 year old owned by Mr J Rogerson
3. Daloraine, 6 year old owned by Mr Laycock
Wednesday 23rd April 1890
FOURTH RACE: Border Counties Hunt Plate over 3 ½ miles
1. Minster, 6 year old owned by Captain M Cradock
2. Cambria, aged horse owned by Lord Henry Vane Tempest
3. Tynemouth, 6 year old owned by Mr Fogg
Wednesday 23rd April 1890
FIFTH RACE: Selling Hunters’ Steeplechase Plate over 2 miles
1. Fowberry, aged horse owned by Mr C E Browne
2. Matador, aged horse owned by Mr R Jefferson
3. Gipsy Lass, 4 year old owned by Mr A Bryden
Wednesday 23rd April 1890
SIXTH RACE: Hexham Steeplechase Plate over 2 ½ miles
1. Gamecock, 4 year old owned by Mr Davidson
2. Come Again, 6 year old owned by Mr John Peel
3. Clatter, 5 year old owned by Mr E Joicey
2005 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Benbeoch (6/4 fav) ridden by Miss P Robson, beating Natiain (9/1) ridden by Mr J A Richardson, with Jupiter’s Fancy (28/1) in third
2006 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Natiain (11/8 fav) ridden by Mr W L Morgan, beating Anshan Spirit (8/1) trained by R Green and ridden by Mr R W Green, with Benny Boy (16/1) trained by S Waugh and ridden by Mr A Waugh in third
2007 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Royal Mackintosh (20/1) trained by A H Mactaggert, beating Thunder Hawk (33/1) ridden by Mr T Davidson, with Shanteen Lass (20/1) ridden by Mr C Dawson in third
2008 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Messager (11/4) trained by Miss G Bilton and ridden by Nathan Moscrop, beating Sacred Mountain (5/2) ridden by Mr T Oates, with Network Oscar (3/1) trained by David Easterby and ridden by Mr Ollie Greenhall in third
2009 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Eliza Doalott (4/1) trained by Mrs M Stirk and ridden by Mr G Brewer, beating Teerie Express (18/1) trained by G Bewley and ridden by Jonathon Bewley, with Dr Hellier (10/1) trained by Mrs S Walton and ridden by Miss C Walton in third
2010 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Special Portrait (20/1) trained by Mark Hughes and ridden by Mr W Kinsey, beating Poppy Day (13/8 fav) trained by I M Mason and ridden by Miss Joanna Mason, with Father Murtagh (20/1) trained by Mrs F Brewer and ridden by Mrs Freya Brewer in third
2011 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Bitter Blue (11/10 fav) trained by David Easterby and ridden by Mr Oliver Greenhall, beating Impact Zone (13/2) trained by I M Mason and ridden by Miss Joanna Mason, with Mr Gossip (12/1) trained by David Easterby and ridden by Mr Toby Greenhall in third
2012 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Accordingtotheboss (100/1) ridden by Miss J R Richards, beating Beau Traveller (5/2) ridden by Colm McCormack, with Chip N Pin (50/1) trained by I M Mason in third
2013 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Show Public (4/1) trained by S Shirley-Beavan and ridden by Jamie Hamilton, beating A New Rising (50/1) trained by M E Ellwood and ridden by Mr J Lyttle, with Barachois Silver (4/1) trained by Mrs J Hollands and ridden by Mr G Crow in third
2014 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by New Rising (6/1) trained by M E Ellwood and ridden by Mr J Lyttle, beating Barachois Silver (2/1 jt fav) trained by Mrs J Hollands and ridden by Mr G Crow, with Central Flame (2/1 jt fav) trained by J Walton and ridden by Miss C Walton in third
2015 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Cave Hunter (13/2) trained by Mrs W Hamilton and ridden by Mr T Hamilton, beating Kalastar (25/1) trained by Katie Scott and ridden by Mr J Dawson, with Dun Faw Good (11/1) trained by Mrs C Walton and ridden by Miss C Walton in third
2016 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Ardea (9/5) trained by Mr Joe Wright and ridden by Justin Landy, beating Damiens Dilemma (9/2) trained by Sam Coltherd and ridden by Mrs L Coltherd, with The Highlander (15/8 fav) trained by Miss J Coward and ridden by Jacqueline Coward in third
2017 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Tallow Fair (9/2) trained by Miss Lucy Horner and ridden by Mr S Lee, beating Bafana Choice (10/1) trained by Mrs S Grant and ridden by Miss A Waugh, with Mickey Miller (5/1) trained by John Dawson and ridden by Mr J Dawson in third
2018 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Streets of Milan (12/1) trained by C C Pimlott and ridden by Mr Tom Strawson, beating Wizadora (66/1) trained by Mrs C Coward and ridden by J M Andrews, with For Yes (33/1) trained by Mrs L Coltherd and ridden by Mr Kit Alexander in third
2019 The Heart of All England Hunter Chase was won by Hafajay (3/1) trained by Nigel Tinkler and ridden by Mr J Teal, beating Snow Castle (3/1) trained by G C Brewer and ridden by Mr John Dawson, with Dee Star (12/1) trained by Gary Hanmer and ridden by Mr Peter Bryan in third
