The Bromford Bridge racecourse was opened in 1894 by brothers John and Stanley Ford.
[2][3] The lease of the land (measuring 42 acres (17 ha)) was supported by a company owned by the Earl of Aylesford.
The first race, the Midland Welter Handicap, over a mile and a quarter, was won by Philology owned by Mr G F Fawcett.
Charles Richardson, writing in 'The English Turf' described the placing of the stands as: "The perfect model of what a racecourse ought to be.
During the Second World War, the racecourse was used initially as a barrage balloon and anti-aircraft gun site, later for billeting soldiers and as an army stores depot.
Bombs caused damage to the course during the war, but by August 1946 the course was open again for a two day meeting at which Gordon Richards rode seven winners.
True, its surroundings cannot be compared with those of Goodwood or York, but if one keeps one's eye on the racing and considers the technical perfection of the track one should have no compaint whatsoever".
Rickman continued: "Birmingham never lacks runners, and although many of its races are for second-class and moderate animals, there are a number of events during the nine meetings comprising fifteen days' racing held between Easter Monday and November, which cater for and attract high-class horses.
[7] The same year, the course hosted its most valuable event – a 2.5 miles (20 furlongs) handicap with a first prize of approximately £2,500.
Racegoers seemed to prefer the more rural settings of Warwick, Worcester and Stratford to the industrial views of Fort Dunlop's Base Stores and Bromford Wire Mills.
The racecourse management tried various things to boost attendances, including Saturday evening fixtures, free admission for ladies and performances by pop groups such as the Swinging Blue Jeans.
Birmingham Corporation was keen to buy the 180 acres of the racecourse's site to build housing for people who had to move from inner city slum clearances, and in 1964 the racecourse shareholders accepted the council's offer of £1.25 million.
Birmingham's farewell meeting took place on Monday evening, 21 June 1965, starting at 7pm.
A horse named Plantation finished last of the 12 runners in the final race at Birmingham on a cold, wet evening at Bromford Bridge.
Lord Willoughby de Broke handed the finishing post over to Birmingham City Council's house-building committee.
[9] By 1965, Birmingham Corporation had bought the land on which the racecourse stood for £1.25 million, with the intention of building a new housing estate on its site to rehouse people from inner city slum clearances.
The roads in the redevelopment were given names related to racing, including references to Newmarket, Reynoldstown, Haydock, and Thirsk.