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Description: | Song about Dun Mare's win at Newcastle Races.One of a number of songs written on successful race-horses in the region, Dun Mare is perhaps a less popular subject of song. Numerous lines have been devoted to legendary racers such as Doctor Syntax, Beeswing and XYZ, many appearing in the Racing was one of the few leisure pursuits enjoyed by all classes. Men gambled on anything, but a constant favourite was horse racing. Gambling became such a passion with the lower classes that an Act in 1740 attempted to make the sport more exclusive. Its popularity, however, only increased. Racing was one of the first sports to be recorded in Newcastle. Although races were held on other Newcastle moors in the seventeenth century, racing became a regular feature on the Town Moor in the eighteenth century. From 1751 a 'race week' was held, and in 1800 local gentry organised a permanent grandstand on the Town Moor. Racing remained on the Town Moor until 1880, when it was suggested that a private site may be more suitable.This song is part of the John Bell Collection. ; A collection of broadsheets on various subjects, with accompanying press cuttings and manuscript notes in the hand of John Bell. | Publisher: | Stephenson Gateshead ; Tyne and Wear | Rights holder: | rights holder : Newcastle University | Subjects: | entertainment and sport horse racing & gambling Leisure | Temporal: | start=1801;end=1840; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:N0129301 | Go to resource |
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