Wincanton
Wincanton is thought to have been the scene of the earliest steeplechases ever held. Matches between hunting folk were a feature of the areas countryside and by the commencement of the 19th Century, Easter Monday at Wincanton had become a recognised fixture. The course at this time was at Hatherleigh Farm, South West of Wincanton town and it wasn’t until 1925 that the course moved to its present location at Kingwell Farm.
Steeplechasing was not a great public attraction until the 1830’s and for many years afterwards it had no governing body or recognised rules. In 1861 there was the formation of the National Hunt Committee that regularised Steeplechasing and Wincanton Hunt Steeplechases were instituted under National Hunt rules. The first meeting under the new regime was held on Easter Monday, April 3, 1895.
Wincanton Racecourse hosts 17 fixtures of quality jump racing from October to May and has an average of two meetings per month during this period. Eight of these race days are on a weekend or bank holiday so if you are planning a day out these meetings provide an excellent day that is packed full of entertainment.
