The Brighton Racecourse has always been very much a part of the lives of Brightonians, particularly the people of East Brighton. The history of the course goes back to 1783 with the first races being run at the new course on the 26th and 27th August.

Race days in more modern times invoke memories within most of us that have lived in the area, particularly East Brighton. Many bookies carried out their operations outside of the course on the Race Hill above Whitehawk as well as at the top of Elm Grove. On race days some of us kids would climb up the hill and after the bookies had packed up and gone, we would search around their pitches to see if they had dropped any small change. We would also go and see the horses at the finish of races at the top of Manor Hill where they crossed the road to pull up, watching the horses and jockeys in their colourful garb.

The atmosphere on the race hill when the races were on was electric, with the bookies outside of the course, tic - tacking and shouting the odds and the tipsters offering to tell anyone what was going to win the next race; for a small fee of course. The most famous of these by far was of course Prince Monolulu, dressed like an African chief with a feathered head - dress and his famous cry of "I've gotta horse!". There was also a Funfair on race days on the green at the top of Bear Road and in earlier days on the hill overlooking Whitehawk. The race goers on the outside of the course crowded around on the hill comparing the odds being offered by various bookmakers and trying to get the best price for their horse.

There's no doubt that the racecourse has represented a major part of the leisure activities of many Brightonians. The history of the Brighton Racecourse is a very interesting one and hopefully we can come back to it in the future.

Written by Fred Netley.