ONE of Oxford’s summer attractions was the Sheriff’s Races on Port Meadow and Wolvercote Common.

Punters would turn out to bet on horses, then watch with excitement as their jockeys raced around the circuit to the finishing line.

Horse racing on Port Meadow was a centuries-old tradition which had been allowed to lapse.

It was revived in 1980 by Dr Frank Garside who, as Sheriff of Oxford, was responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of Port Meadow.

By 1986, the event had become so popular that it was attracting riders and horses from other parts of the country.

In fact, that year, local riders were totally out of luck – all seven races were won by outsiders, and even the locals’ race was won by a rider from Buckinghamshire.

Entries secretary Queenie Hamilton told the Oxford Mail that she had sent out 94 forms advertising the races to every riding school in the area.

But many local riders said the forms had not been displayed.

Mrs Hamilton said: “I would like to see far more local riders. It hurts when you are doing all this and it is not for the benefit of local riders.”

Even the bookies took a hammering. Often substantial bets were placed on horses they knew nothing about, and punters cleaned up when their favourites won.

Local firms sponsored the races, putting up several hundred pounds in prize money every year. There were some local winners – the proceeds from the event went to various local charities.