- Mar 13 English FA Cup Final, Kennington Oval, London: Royal Engineers and Old Etonians draw 1-1; replay won by Engineers, 2-0
- Mar 16 English FA Cup Final Replay, Kennington Oval, London: Royal Engineers beat Old Etonians, 2-0 after initial 1-1 draw
- Mar 18 37th Grand National: Tommy Pickernell wins his 3rd GN aboard 100/6 chance Pathfinder
- Apr 17 Modern Snooker invented by Sir Neville Chamberlain, a bored British officer in Jabalpur, India
- May 17 1st Kentucky Derby: Oliver Lewis aboard Aristides wins in 2:37.75
- May 28 3rd Preakness: L Hughes aboard Tom Ochiltree wins in 2:43.5
- Jun 12 9th Belmont: Bobby Swim aboard Calvin wins in 2:42.25
Captain Webb Conquers the English Channel
Aug 25 Captain Matthew Webb makes the 1st observed and unassisted swim across the English Channel in 21 hours and 45 minutes
