Newton Abbot

Newton Abbot is a market town in Devon with a population of around 25k. The history of the town can be traced back to pre-roman times. During Medieval times, trade was dominated by the wool and leather trade. As time moved on a flouring cod fisheries trade developed between Newton Abbot and the Cod Fisheries off Newfoundland. This also gave rise to the development of related industries. Later in time the Ball Clay industry began to flourish and did so all the way into the present. It still exists though is now highly mechanised.

Newton Abbot Racecourse

Newton Abbot Racecourse stages only National Hunt Racing on turf.

The track is a left-handed oval and sharp. The circuit is about a mile and a quarter with short run-in. The short run-in means that the lead rarely changes in the run to the line. The course generally favours front runners and those ridden prominently and the fences aren’t too difficult.

Clerk of the course: Jason Loosemore

Course telephone number: 01626 353235

Full address: Newton Abbot Races Ltd, Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 3AF

Getting Here

Newton Abbot is 210 miles from Central London, 175 miles from Birmingham, 124 miles from Cardiff, 254 miles from Manchester and 460 miles from Edinburgh.

The course itself is situated just north of the town on the A380 Exeter road.

The course post code is TQ12 3AF.

Course parking is free.

The nearest railway station is Newton Abbot Station which is about three quarters of a mile away.

Racecourse facilities

Course website: https://www.newtonabbotracing.com

Disabled access: https://www.newtonabbotracing.com/plan-your-visit/disabled-access

There are two enclosures at Newton Abbot, the Paddock Enclosure and The Course Enclosure. The dress code here is smart casual with both jeans and shorts allowed in both enclosures.

The course enclosure is served by The Alfresco Catering Outlet and from 2019 onwards also A new Course Enclosure Café & Bar.

The Paddock Enclosure includes The Winning Post Restaurant, The Paddock Restaurant and The Paddock Carvery as well as a couple of options for teas and coffees. I had a nice bit of food in the Paddock Restaurant above the parade ring and it was lovely.

There is an area set aside for picnics also

I must say that I found the staff in all areas to be just amazingly courteous.

My Day

It was a hot day which brought out the crowds and with it, sadly a few idiots who seem to be more and more prevalent at racecourse these days. That’s not to take away from what I thought was a really nice and well run course. This was my first visit there but not be my last by any means.

The day started really well with River Bray winning quite easily for me at 3/1 and getting a 2/5F Dan Skelton hotpot beaten too.

I managed two more winners too before finally deciding the crowd was too much and departing after the fourth race. I did at least go home with a reasonable profit to show for my final day of this fabulous tour.