A racing fan who was introduced to the joys of the turf at the tender age of seven, has just given up 10 years of his life to researching racing at Epsom and in the district.
And to his surprise Bill Eacott discovered that Epsom, now known for flatracing, was home to eight Grand National winners in the 19th century.
And Epsom trainers were so keen on the jumps that they tried to introduce National Hunt racing on Epsom Downs, home of the famous Derby course.
Even more astonishing to people who know the heavy soggy ground on parts of Epsom Common and the thick undergrowth and wooded areas is the finding that the common was also used for racing.
Bill from Ewell has spent 10 years on his book on the history of racehorse training on Epsom and Banstead Downs from the days of Eclipse in the late 18th century to 2009.
Over 400 trainers, 300 important race winners, more than 50 stables are listed and the horse horse population for the last 100 years is detailed.
Bill’s father was a keen follower of the horses and the enthusiasm runs in the family.
Bill said: “The real problems lay in the early 19th century because in many cases the trainers of winning horses were not recorded, even for races like the Grand National.
"In those days the trainer was usually the groom in the employment of the owner.”
It is the second book on racing he has produced. His first was a biography of trainer and owner Stanley Wootton.
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