When can I go racing?
From Monday 17 May, all racecourses in England will be allowed to accommodate up to 4,000 people or 50% of capacity, whichever is the smaller number. Actual numbers will vary by racecourse given local public health and safety authorities must approve plans.
Will I be able to buy tickets on the day?
No walk-up tickets will be available and all tickets must be purchased online through our website in advance of the raceday. This is to comply with Government guidance and test and trace regulations which remain an important part of the national roadmap to recovery. Tickets cannot be transferred to another person. Photographic ID will be requested on arrival with your ticket. Only customers who have booked their ticket in advance will be allowed to enter the racecourse.
Do children require a ticket?
Although children accompanied by an adult have free entry, they are required to have a ticket. Please add child tickets to your basket when making your booking.
Can I use my gift voucher?
Our new online gift vouchers can be used to purchase tickets, please redeem when you book your tickets. If you have a 2019/2020 laminated gift voucher you cannot turn up on the day with your voucher to exchange for a ticket for these two meetings.
Is there any advice on transport to the racecourse?
Spectators are welcome to travel to and from the raceday by any form of transport, although private transport is preferred given the reduced risk of Covid-19 transmission.
What are the parking arrangements?
All parking will be in the centre of the racecourse apart from disabled badge holders.
Will industry accreditation, such as metal RCA badges, be accepted?
All RCA-issued accreditation, including badge schemes, metal badges and media lanyards, remains suspended until further notice. This is due to the requirement for all attendance to be pre-booked and the strict capacity limits imposed. The RCA will confirm when accreditation schemes will re-commence.
Will cash be accepted?
Newton Abbot Racecourse is hosting cashless racedays as is recommended by Government guidance. On-course bookmakers will accept both cash and card payment.
Our ATM will not be in operation, so if you wish to place a cash bet with a bookmaker please bring cash with you.
Once through the turnstiles can I visit all parts of the racecourse?
The majority of outdoor spaces will be open to you to enjoy your raceday. There will be some limitations such as around and in the Parade Ring and all integrity areas. Indoors there will be directional instructions and customer flow management in place to assist with social distancing and ventilation.
What should I do if I have any symptoms of Covid-19 prior to raceday?
If you or a member of your household are displaying any acknowledged symptoms of Covid-19 prior to raceday please do not come racing until 10 days following your first sign of symptoms. Your ticket will be subject to a full refund or transfer.
Will my temperature be checked on arrival?
As a rule racecourses will not be checking temperatures of any spectators although local variances may occasionally apply.
What is the Code of Conduct? Does it apply to me?
The Code of Conduct is a shared responsibility between the racecourse and you, the racegoer, regarding behaviour whilst on-course. The Code of Conduct is an important part of our ability to reopen and welcome significant numbers of spectators so it is vital that you familiarise yourself with it in advance.
What is the situation regarding Parade Ring access for racehorse owners?
Each racecourse will have a specific Parade Ring capacity limit based on the size of the area, number of runners and the ability to safely social distance. Whilst each racecourse will try to safely accommodate the maximum number of people within the Parade Ring, this number will vary by racecourse and by race. There is no definitive standard.
Will I be able to place a bet when on-course?
Yes, we are pleased to confirm that there will be seven on-course bookmakers in attendance as well as Tote betting facilities. Bookmakers have been advised to wear face coverings and have hand sanitiser available.
Will I need to wear a face covering?
In line with Government advice, face coverings will only be required in indoor settings. The only outdoor settings on a racecourse where face coverings will be required are the Pre-Parade Ring, Parade Ring, horsewalks and the start due to the protection protocols put in place for the benefit of racing’s participants. It is recommended that you wear a face covering when queuing.
Will all food and beverage facilities be open?
Due to the social distancing rule still being in place, the carvery restaurant room, Silks coffee lounge and both betting halls and bars will not be open as these rooms are currently occupied by jockeys and owners as their normal facilities are not large enough for social distancing. Alfresco will be open for a takeaway service and an outside bar will be available.
Please note that no food or drink can be brought into the racecourse.
Please make sure you are seated whilst consuming all food and drink, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Will I be able to sanitise my hands at the racecourse?
Yes, hand sanitation facilities will be available at all racecourses. Staff have also been trained to be Covid-19 secure and are fully aware of the health and safety protocols needed to reduce risk.
Will I be able to buy a racecard?
As a Covid secure venue, we are unable to provide any printed material including racecards. Racecards will be emailed prior to the fixture you are attending.
What seating areas will be available?
Due to the social distancing rule still being in place, the seating area in the Paddock Enclosure grandstand will be closed until all restrictions are lifted. Additional seating will be in place in the outdoor areas.
What should I bring with me?
Everyone attending must ensure they bring with them:
What happens on 21 June and the next stage of the roadmap?
British horseracing will remain in close contact with national Governments to determine the speed at which the nation will progress with the roadmap to recovery from Covid-19. The earliest possible date for further relaxation of protocol is 21 June.
Tickets for all horseracing fixtures at Newton Abbot Racecourse can be purchased online via our online ticket store at www.newtonabbotracing.com/fixtures until 10am on the day of the fixture. Alternatively, you can purchase your tickets from our friendly team at the racecourse office or by calling us on 01626 353235.
Tickets for all fixtures will be available on the gate on the day. Book online in advance and SAVE on Paddock Admission.
Ticket prices for 2021 to be confirmed.
This year with the introduction of our new ticket store we have changed our admission badges to e-tickets which can be printed at home. If you do not have access to a printer, please call the office on 01626 353235 for assistance.
To ensure that you and other racegoers can access the racecourse as quickly as possible we ask that you print your e-tickets at home prior to your arrival to minimise queue times. A separate ticket should be printed for each member of your party.
Alternatively, tickets can be shown on a smartphone screen and scanned from there if the customer is unable to print.
If you forget to bring your printed e-ticket with you on the day, you will be escorted to the racecourse office.
Alternatively, tickets can be shown on a smartphone screen and scanned from there if the customer is unable to print.
Each person in your party will need their own e-ticket. If you plan to arrive separately, please ensure that each person has their own ticket for when they arrive.
Please keep all tickets separately as tickets can only be scanned once.
Separate queues will be in operation for those who have e-tickets away from those who wish to purchase on the day to help speed up your admission to the racecourse.
No refunds will be given for badges or tickets that are purchased and not required or used other than if racing is abandoned.
Newton Abbot Racecourse may abandon racing:
In the event of racing being abandoned, refunds on badges will only be paid in the following circumstances:
Should the meeting be abandoned after the start of the second race there will be no refund. In either case there will be no cash refund.
No, Shareholders and Annual Members only need to show their metal badges on arrival.
If you’re coming by car, please download our Car Park map for information on where to go.
The dress code for Newton Abbot Racecourse is smart casual. Jeans are allowed in both the Course and Paddock Enclosures, but we ask that visitors do not wear vests or remove their shirt.
The dress code in the restaurants is smart/casual with shorts, t-shirts, sports attire, ripped denim jeans and trainers not permitted. Smart jeans are however permitted.
On Ladies’ Day, racegoers are invited to don their finest attire for a chance to win some top prizes in the best dressed and best hat competitions.
We do not allow dogs into the racecourse, with the exception of assisting dogs.
A cash machine is situated in the Paddock Enclosure.
Photographs are allowed as long as it is not distributed for commercial use. We also ask visitors to not use their flash, as we don’t want to scare the horses. Professional photographers will need to obtain a press pass from our Managing Director. Contact us to arrange a press pass.
Newton Abbot Racecourse welcomes all racegoers with disabilities to each racing fixture. Access for racegoers with disabilities to the racecourse is via the new public entrance – please turn right at the entrance into the new disabled car park.
Wheelchair accessible entrances are located in all betting halls with lifts in the Paddock Betting Hall and the Teign Suite. Accessible toilets are located in the entrance to the Paddock Enclosure areas, in the Terrace Rooms and the top floor of the Teign Suite.
The accessible viewing stand for racegoers with disabilities is located at the front of the Paddock Grandstand.
Disabled patrons and their carer will both be charged £10 (weekdays) or £14 (weekends) to enter the Course Enclosure and then will be given a free upgrade to the Paddock Enclosure. Ticket prices for 2021 to be confirmed.
For further information about the course and access, please download our accessibility statement
There’s a choice of bookmakers located at the front of both the Course and Paddock Enclosures. There are also Tote betting facilities throughout the enclosures.
We do not permit visitors to the course to bring their own alcohol. There’s a good variety of bars at the course serving a range of drinks. Visit our regulations, rules and notices page for more information.
The course will open two hours before the advertised start of the first race. For a full list of dates, visit our fixtures page.
Both children aged under 18 and students with a valid photographic ID card, can enjoy free entry at all fixtures at Newton Abbot Racecourse. At no stage in the day will a child need a ticket, they will be admitted to both enclosures without one as long as they are accompanied by a paying adult.
Students will be given a free ticket at the gate on the day when they present a valid photographic student ID or NUS card. These do not have to be ordered in advance.
No, please not that BBQs, camping stoves or any other cooking equipment are not permitted to be brought into the racecourse.