This account of the Eye Races was printed in The Suffolk Chronicle of 13th July  1839. "These races commenced on Thursday last on Cranley Green. It is calculated 7,000 persons were witnesses to the sport, and it being a fine day added much to the gaiety of the scene. The principal families present from the town and neighbourhood presented a splendid assemblage of fashionables. Vehicles of every description, from the pony gig to the carriages and four, including not less than 50 or 60 wagons, filled with spectators. The site was most gratifying. The races far exceeded the expectations of the oldest frequenter of the turf. Much credit is due to the Stewards for their exertions, and the greatest order prevailed.
The following four races took place.
Town Stakes of three sovereigns each with £29 added, for horses of all denominations.
Winner Mr Land’s Rubicon.
Hurdle Stakes, of two sovereigns each, with £13 added over two sets of hurdles.
Winner Mr Smith’s bay gelding, Old Will.
The Hack Stakes of £1.10 shillings each with £10 added the horses not exceeding 15 Hands.
Winner Mr Lake’s chestnut mare, Fanny.
Pony Stakes of 10 shillings each with 5 pounds added for ponies not exceeding 13 1/2 Hands.
Winner Mr Rowell’s brown mare, The Jewess.”
The Suffolk Chronicle’s report of the races for 1840 tells of 10,000 persons attending. There were 70 wagons decorated for the occasion, completely crammed with people. Many officers of the 9th Hussars from Norwich were present also “three commodious grandstands filled with beauty and fashion”.
In 1841, we are told that “not less than 15,000” came to the races where stalls and booths had come from all directions including Norwich and Newmarket”. However, an advert for 1842 stated that no booths or stalls were to be allowed by “persons not resident in the town of Eye”. There were two days of races in 1843.
The Suffolk Chronicle tells that only two horses were entered in the first race, so it did not take place “causing disappointment”. The other races “afforded good sport to the thousands of people assembled”. There were two gambling booths from London. “Light fingered gentry made a bad harvest. Scarcely a theft or accident occurred.”
The Ipswich Journal commented that the event was not quite up to those of former years although it was the largest company ever assembled. Stewards were appointed for the following year, but it seems that 1843 saw the last of the Eye Races.
 Linda Hudson