IPSWICH GRAND STEEPLECHASE
This splendid affair came off on Thursday last, and fully realized the ardent anticipations of its promoters. The most intense interest had been excited amongst the sporting circles for some time before, especially as it was known that the sports would take place under the auspices of some of “the right sort,” and the sporting portions of the public are much indebted to them for the excellent arrangements made that the races might “come off” with all possible éclat, since Suffolk has of late become distinguished for Steeple Chases. The Stewards upon the occasion were Captain Anstruther Thomson, and J. F. Madocks, Esq. of the I3th Light Dragoons; and W. J. Maude, Esq., and B Wilkinson, Esq.
From ten o’clock on Thursday morning until two at noon, the high road leading to the pretty village of Bramford was thronged with carriages, coaches,”busses,” gigs, and pedestrians, all rattling and crowding on, amidst clouds of dust, to the great point of attraction, and by the latter hour, the ground, and the neighbouring heights, were covered with people. The stewards pitched their tent, with the weighing apparatus, in a large meadow belonging to Mr. B. Morgan, midway between Bramford and Claydon. The ground selected extended about 4 miles, and was staked out in the form of a horseshoe; the course being defined by red and white flags placed at equi-distances. At starting, the horses had to take a course due South, then turning sharp to the right the riders had to face the west. Turning again to climb the hills, they then faced the north; when, after passing Mr. Morgan ‘s residence, they came down the hills, and thence due south to the winning post. The field in which they started out was properly staked out and roped, so as to present a clear course and no favour. And certainly the ground selected to try the mettle of the horses was the “ugliest” that could have been pitched upon; there being not less than 37 leaps, many of which looked most “owdacious.” Just after starting, a leap presented itself of about 15 feet, over a hedge down into a meadow, thence over another “rasping” hedge into a marsh, and thence over a wide drain, and a five-barred gate, into the road. After crossing this road, to the majority of the spectators, the riders and their horses were lost in a country of trees and bushes, for about a mile; when the horses, again emerging from the brow of the hill leading from Mr. Morgan’s residence, had to cross a ploughed field, and take some desperate leaps across the fences on either side of the road, which brought them into the lower meadows. The last leap but two was looked upon as the most desperate, and certainly it deserves to be described, for one more dangerous could not have been lived upon by the hardiest steeplechaser who ever ventured his neck in pursuit of his favourite sport. It consisted of a hedge and a stream of water. The hedge across the field was about 20 feet high, presenting an effectual barrier; but to render it just passable, in the centre, between the two flags, a gap had been cut, and the bushes taken away, leaving just sufficient space for one horse to make his way through the aperture. But this is not all. The stakes left, were sharp pointed and about five feet high, and the riders had not only to clear these dangerous impediments, but a drain on the other side, making, with the fence, leap of at least seventeen feet, enough almost to cause the stoutest heart to fail. This was “the leap.” But here the horses had not done their work, for after crossing the field, they came upon two other “saucy ones” at the occupation road before they got upon the level ground leading to the winning post. It was generally agreed upon that an ” uglier” or, as some persons said, ” a tidier” course could not have been fixed upon to try the mettle of both horses and men. In fact, none but the “right sort” could have faced such impediments, and come off without broken bones. The first race was for a sweepstakes of five sovereigns each, with 50£. added, for horses of all denominations, each carrying twelve stone.
[There then follows details of the races, horses etc]
… The scene altogether was very exciting, especially from the heights near Mr Morgan’s residence, which were literally covered with spectators. From these points a fine panoramic view was had of the field, and of the vale of Bramford, which was covered with a great multitude of people. Owing to the heat of the day, the ale and porter booths were exhausted, and though ginger beer rose 20 percent in value, tee-total principles were at great discount amongst the thirsty visitors. We are glad to add that no accident occurred beyond a few tumbles got by some of the riders…
