NEWTON ABBOT RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
Newton Abbot racecourse is located in the beautiful south Devon countryside of the Teign Valley. The course has occupied its ninety three acre site since racing commenced in 1855, and in recent years, the course has become the flagship of national hunt summer racing in the South West of England.
Newton Abbot stages around 18 fixtures in the six months between the beginning of March and the end of August, and it is often attended by large holidaying crowds.
Track facts:
The racecourse is used exclusively for national hunt summer jumping.
Races are run left handed over a flat, sharp oval, measuring one mile one furlong in circumference.
The steeplechase course has seven fences laid out in the following circuit pattern: three plain fences, a single open ditch, the water jump, and two more plain fences. Unusually, on the final circuit, the water jump is only half a mile from the finish. Having had to stretch for this water jump, horses have to quickly recover their balance, and accelerate around the home turn, so as to approach the two home straight fences at full racing pace. With only a short run in after the last fence, any horse not in contention on the home turn has little chance of winning.
The hurdles course has four flights per circuit. On the final circuit, the two hurdles situated in the home straight proceed a short one hundred yard run to the winning post.
The tight nature of both courses, combined with short run ins on both tracks, make it essential for potential winners to have the ability to lay close to the pace.
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Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse.
Paddock Enclosure Ticket.
There is exclusive access to the Grandstand, and seats can be reserved either on a daily basis , or by the season. The grandstand offers the best views of all the racing action. Ticket holders also have access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and the other public areas of the racecourse.
There are three restaurants and accompanying bars in this enclosure. The highly regarded Winning Post Restaurant provides diners with the prime views of the racecourse. The Paddock Restaurant gives diners unequalled views of the action in the parade ring. Due to the popularity of the two above restaurants, advance booking is strongly recommended. The other facility in this enclosure is the Terrace Rooms Restaurant.
There are also other bar and food outlets in the Paddock Enclosure.
Course Enclosure Ticket.
From the terraced grandstand, or lawn position, race goers can obtain good views of the racing for a reasonable entrance fee.
To obtain a front row view, cars can park next to the running rails in a reserved parking space. The additional costs being £35 for a season, or £2 on a daily basis. However, due to limited space, this is on a first come, first served basis.
The enclosure is a large picnic area, which also has bar and snack facilities.
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Disabled Facilities:
There are limited disabled parking spaces near to the entrances.
A viewing platform with ramps is available in the Paddock enclosure.
There are suitable lifts in the Grandstand and Teign Suite, plus specialist toilet facilities in both enclosures.
Official guide dogs are welcome.
The course is disabled friendly, and disabled race goers should telephone the racecourse if they have any special requirements.
Fixtures:
All races at Newton Abbot are run under national hunt rules.
2011:
Sunday 17 July
Transport Links:
By Road:
Traffic from the North should leave the M5 at junction 31, then follow the A380 towards Torquay. The racecourse is well signposted from this main route.
From Plymouth or the South, take the A38, leave at the junction indicating A383 to Newton Abbot. This road leads to the large roundabout on the outskirts of the town. Take the first exit, signposted A381 to Kingsteignton , and follow the signs to the racecourse.
Unreserved car parking is free of charge.
By Rail:
Newton Abbot railway station is served by direct services from London Paddington, and the cross country services from Edinburgh and Newcastle upon Tyne.
Newton Abbot railway station is only three quarters of a mile from the racecourse.
By Bus:
For bus connections, contact National Express, or Stagecoach services in Devon.
By Air:
Exeter international airport is around 15 miles from the racecourse.
Subject to permission from the racecourse Managing Director, helicopters may land on the course.
Contact Details:
Address:
Newton Abbot Racing Ltd,
The Racecourse,
Newton Abbot,
Devon,
TQ12 3AF.
Telephone Number: 01626 35 32 35.
Fax Number: 01626 33 69 72.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
The Grand Hotel Torquay.
Tel no: 01803 296 677.
The AA 4 Star Grand Hotel occupies pride of place on the Torquay seafront, commanding superior views out over the bay and to sea. This beautiful Victorian-inspired building, with interior Art Deco influences, is a perfect blend of modernity mixed with the opulence and grandeur of bygone days.
The hotel has 131 individually furnished en suite bedrooms available as Standard rooms, or guests can Select Sea View and Premier Suites. For the more active, The Grand has plenty to offer in the way of leisure facilities. As well as an outdoor swimming pool and hard court tennis court, there is an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna, Sun Shower and Gym.
Eating at the Grand is a pleasurable experience and the Gainsborough restaurant provides an elegant but comfortable environment in which to enjoy some delicious dining, with something to suit every palate. Dinner is a leisurely feast with a daily changing Table d’Hote Menu featuring locally sourced ingredients from the Devon larder, with fish from coastal waters – all mixed with flair, imagination and flavour uppermost in mind.
Newton Abbot race goers who want more information, or wish to book directly with the Grand Hotel, should use the link below.
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