In 1836 Ladbroke managed to earn some income by leasing 140 acres of land to John Whyte for a racecourse called the Hippodrome. This opened in 1837 and was used for steeplechases and flat racing. It quickly ran into difficulties. The locals objected because it cut off a public footpath and the racecourse had to be altered to avoid it. Racing began again in 1839 but the ground was heavy clay and was just not suitable for horseracing. In 1840 Whyte gave up, and sold his lease to his solicitor, John Duncan.