Newton Abbot Races

The Newton Abbot Racecourse offers hunt racing that is often referred as the best in the UK. Located on the north bank of the River Teign, the Newton Abbot Races are held between the towns of Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton in Devon, England. From March to August, ever since the year 1886 there has been national hunt races held at Newton, with the Newton Abbot racing schedule filled with 19 meetings through the year. The Newton Abbot Races have only been halted the by war - the two World Wars to be exact. In 1914-1918, like many racecourses at the time, it was used as a Prisoner of War camp and occupied by troops, and, with the outbreak of war again in the 3rd of September 1939, there was only one day of Newton Abbot Races held until peace once again was declared. When the war ended, a huge crowd gathered at the Newton Abbot Races, and celebrated with a party with a guest list of over 17,500! Newton Abbots main grandstand was completed in 1969, and opened by the Queen Mother. As popularity of the races grew, sumptuous corporate facilities were opened in 1990 and subsequently extended to meet growing demand in 1996. Designed and built to impress and stand the wages of time, these buildings can be hired on request for sponsors of the Newton Abbot Races and non-sponsors alike. There are two main enclosures at the Newton Abbot Races, comprising of the course itself and the paddock. There is excellent all round viewing available on all the enclosures, and there are also bars, betting facilities, the grandstand and many food outlets available. In addition to this, the paddock has three restaurants and a parade ring, as well as even more places to eat and drink in a relaxed atmosphere. Unlike some major race courses, the Newton Abbot Racecourse encourages attendance from children, with all children under the age of 16 admitted to all meetings free. There are also selected race days where a variety of children's entertainment is also provided, which include face painting, children's rides and a bouncy castle. As well as this, a crèche is provided at every meeting. One of the biggest races in the racing calendar, the annual Newton Abbot Totesport Summer Festival takes place at the Newton Abbot course on Saturday the 30th of August and Sunday the 31st of August, and attracts some of the finest jockeys in the country, as well as their championship steeds. Often crowds for this delight exceed 5,000 people, and this year promises to be no different, as it plays host to the first ever Class 1 Race.

Getting There

Getting to the Newton Abbot Races is easy, with the racecourse well signposted from the M5 if arriving north by car. After leaving the M5 at Junction 31, racegoers are advised to follow the A380 towards Torquay. If travelling from the direction of Plymouth, the A38 should be left at the junction signposted Newton Abbot, and the A383 must be followed until the main roundabout on the outskirts of the town. By train it is even easier - Newton Abbot has its very own railway station which is within three quarters of a mile of the course, on the mainline from London Paddington.