Families could have a flutter on the horses as well as enjoy music, a funfair, sideshows, dancing, gymnastics and much more.
Picture 1 dates from 1984 when the Sheriff of Oxford, Bert Standingford, hosted the races which proved a runaway success despite threatening skies and a final downpour.
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The Oxford Mail reported: “Families turned out in force to have a flutter on the eight races and the six bookies did roaring business.
“One of the highlights of the day was a polo match between Kirtlington and Oxford University. Kirtlington ended up victorious and were given a magnum of champagne.”
Proceeds from the races always went to charity and among those to benefit that year was the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary at Stadhampton.
Picture 2 shows David Hood on Satinella winning the City Motors’ Stakes, one of the races held in 1982.
The event had opened in style that year with the Sheriff, Queenie Hamilton, arriving in a pony and trap to the cheers of the large crowd.
More than £1,000 worth of sponsorship from local companies guaranteed prize money for the eight horse races, entertainment and a £100 prize draw.
By then, the races had become so popular that they were attracting riders and horses from other parts of the country.
Another large crowd – some seen in Picture 3 – turned out in 1985 when the Sheriff, Albert Ramsay, wore Texan cowboy boots and a sparkling silver-buckle belt to give the races a touch of the Wild West.
Three races that year were won by Oxfordshire riders – Mike Tysall, of Oxford, Caroline Allen, of Old Woodstock, and Marianne Herd, of Wantage.
The proceeds went to the Sheriff’s favourite charities and good causes – Oxford Night Cellar, the Open Spaces Society, the Horse and Pony Protection Association and the 3rd Oxford Scouts.
Picture 4 shows Kristin Tully, 15, of Marsh Lane, Oxford, giving encouragement in 1985 to her mount, Do Not Disturb.
In Picture 5, Jackie Wiggett, right, is seen in 1986 guiding her horse Sleepy to victory over Jinny, ridden by Tracy Skinner, in the City Motors’ Stakes.
(Image: Oxford Mail) Picture 6, from 1984, shows Betty Standingford, the Sheriff’s wife, presenting prizes after one of the races to, left to right, third-placed Caroline Allen, winner Bonnie Rogers and second-placed Caroline Ellis, who were all 15.
The Port Meadow horse races were a tradition from Victorian times revived by the Sheriff, Frank Garside, in 1980.
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About the author
Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here.
He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.
His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning.
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