Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the highlight of the social calendar in many Essex towns and villages was the local horse race meeting. Of these Chelmsford Races, held on Galleywood Common, were by far the most successful. They were so popular that in 1770s the local gentry raised money for a permanent grandstand on the common where they could watch safely isolated from the lower classes. As well as the races the wealthy also enjoyed balls, dinners and concerts organised in the town to coincide with them.
The races had something for everyone. Those too poor to attend the glittering social occasions could enjoy a wonderful day out on the common with the racecourse crammed with fairground attractions as well as many beer tents.
The nature of racing changed towards the end of the eighteenth century as it became more professional and better organized. Despite this, Chelmsford's popularity waned and around 1880 the course was converted to steeplechasing. There was a brief resurgence after the First World War but it didn't last and racing at Galleywood ended in 1935. But that wasn't then end of the story and today the cheers of punters still ring out across the Essex countryside - this time at the new Chelmsford City Racecourse at Great Leighs.