Aylesbury Hunt Steeplechases March 19th, 1914

Stormy skies make brollies essential at the last meeting before WWI of this forgotten fixture of the jump racing calendar

The going looks positively squidgy at one of the last Aylesbury Aristocratic Steeplechases. Those who could afford to be in the covered stands had the best views on the day, sheltered from the dark skies. But the privileged access of the Éclair newsreel cameras brings us as close to the action as the plucky souls by the jump fences – with no umbrellas obscuring the view.

With various kinds of racing taking place in and around Aylesbury since the 17th century, steeplechase racing at a Hartwell Park course had been formalised by the local National Hunt Committee since 1835. The outbreak of WWI meant the 1914 event was followed by a nine year hiatus, but after a brief return the last meeting was held in 1929. The Ascott Cup - seen guarded by the admirably moustachioed policeman at the end of the film - belonged to banker and horse breeder Leopold de Rothschild, who had a country home at the nearby Ascott House.