Apr 15, 2019

Newton Abbot Race Preview Easter Saturday 20 April

The finishing touches are being made to Newton Abbot’s extensive winter re-development programme ahead of the new season which starts on Saturday.

There will be 19 meetings throughout the year culminating on Thursday 31 October, with the popular Ladies Day on Tuesday 25 June, one of three evening meetings over the summer months. Family Fun Day will be on 21 July, one of two Sunday fixtures that are bound to draw large crowds.

Racegoer feedback has shaped this year’s re-development programme, with a new course enclosure café and a new bar within the grandstand. The paddock enclosure has also been extended and the family enclosure moved from the centre to the main side of the racecourse, located in a secure gated area on the rails in front of the grandstand.

Another improvement which is set to be well received by racegoers is free Wi-Fi around the course, including the facility to pay for tickets on the gate via card, rather than cash only.

As well as improved facilities, admission prices have been reduced for 15 of the 19 fixtures, with weekday admission for the Course Enclosure falling to just £10 and £18 for the Paddock Enclosure.*

Managing Director Patrick Masterson said: “Being set in the middle of a floodplain means that we are faced with planning challenges when it comes to developments at the course. Whilst we would have liked to have developed our facilities in the centre of the course, planning restrictions have meant that this is not possible and so we have had to turn our attention to existing areas of the course to identify ways to improve our facilities.”

“Improving the experience for families has been an important focus for us and we hope that the new location for the family enclosure will make a big difference with families as they will no longer need to cross the track to pick up a bite to eat or place a bet.”

Saturday’s seven-race card kicks off at 1.35pm with the Great To Be Back Racing Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) over two miles and a furlong and the first 200 children through the gates receiving a free Easter egg.

Last summer was a quiet one for the course’s leading trainer Paul Nicholls but, once his string started to hit top gear, he had a season to remember and is looking assured of his 11th championship title when the current campaign comes to an end at Sandown Park on the 27th of this month.

Nicholls saddled his 3,000th jumps winner in Great Britain when Dr Sanderson and amateur jockey Bryan Carver took the opening race at Ludlow on the first day of the month. Nicholls’ success has been the springboard for the rise of stable jockey Harry Cobden who, despite missing much of the summer through injury, has clocked up over 100 winners in a season for the first time, with some big race trophies bagged along the way.

Those looking to enjoy a day at the races can book tickets at the racecourse’s online ticket store. This season, the racecourse is offering racegoers the chance to save when booking Paddock tickets online in advance – offering savings of up to 10%. In an additional boost, racegoers can also pay on the gate on the day via card payments this season.

Racing starts at 1.35pm with the gates opening at 11.35am. For more information, visit our online ticket store or call 01626 353235.

* Please note, a booking fee applies when booking online.