Ipswich Racecourse

The earliest mention of annual race meetings in Ipswich was 1710 when a Town Purse was run for by "high mettled racers".

[2] A Royal Plate provided as a prize from 1727 which gave the meetings good support for the next half a century, with the Ipswich Journal running an advertisement for: Popularity declined slightly until the garrison came to Ipswich in the early 19th century where the officers brought their support to the races.

The hurdles were unpopular with jockeys and horses alike which, although built to National Hunt rules, lacked wings, which increased the risk of the horses running out unless the jockey approached the centre of the hurdle.

The Racecourse Pub (on Nacton Road) reputedly stood on the site of the finishing line.

A Tesco Express and five homes now occupy the site, which was completed in early 2010.