Welcome to our official British Racecourses guide to Newton Abbot Racecourse.
British Racecourses explores this small racecourse in detail, covering its history, a track guide, travel information, and betting guides.
If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Newton Abbot, check out our complete guide to Newton Abbot Racecourse tips.
Find out more about Newton Abbot Racecourse:
Contents
- 1 Overview of Newton Abbot Racecourse
- 2 What are the Newton Abbot Racecourse Fixtures for 2026?
- 3 Newton Abbot Racing Tips
- 4 Newton Abbot Races History
- 5 Newton Abbot Racecourse Map
- 6 Main Races and Events Held at Newton Abbot
- 7 Newton Abbot Racecourse Address
- 8 How To Get To Newton Abbot Races
- 9 Hotels near Newton Abbot Racecourse
- 10 Betting Shops Local to Newton Abbot
- 11 Other Events Held at Newton Abbot
- 12 Popular Questions
- 13 Summary of Newton Abbot
Overview of Newton Abbot Racecourse
Newton Abbot Racecourse is just a few kilometres from the town of Newton Abbot and the beautiful Dartmoor National Park. The course was dual-purpose for many years, hosting both horse and greyhound racing.
It is now a jumps course, situated just a few miles down the road from Exeter Racecourse.
It sits on the banks of the River Teign, and whilst comparatively small to its neighbour course, it remains a popular destination for racegoers and trainers alike.
The track itself is left-handed and tight, favouring handy racers. It is oval-shaped, approximately one mile in length, and is considered relatively easy to race, with seven non-challenging fences and a short run-in to the finish. Horses that have previously flat raced often do well here.
It houses all of the hospitality facilities you’d expect to find at a mainstream course. It works on a programme of rolling development every winter, so fans can return to find better and newer amenities every year they visit.
The course remains independently owned, and its two restaurants; The Winning Post and The Paddock are well-reputed locally.
Ever competitive with Exeter, just 10 miles up the road, the course serves as a business and conferencing centre for local companies and has diversified into hosting various event types throughout the year.
What are the Newton Abbot Racecourse Fixtures for 2026?
The Newton Abbot fixtures for 2026 are:
| Date | Racecourse | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 4/4/2026 | Newton Abbot | Saturday |
| 14/4/2026 | Newton Abbot | Tuesday |
| 6/5/2026 | Newton Abbot | Wednesday |
| 13/5/2026 | Newton Abbot | Wednesday |
| 27/5/2026 | Newton Abbot | Wednesday |
| 3/6/2026 | Newton Abbot | Wednesday |
| 12/6/2026 | Newton Abbot | Friday |
| 23/6/2026 | Newton Abbot | Tuesday |
| 3/7/2026 | Newton Abbot | Friday |
| 13/7/2026 | Newton Abbot | Monday |
| 19/7/2026 | Newton Abbot | Sunday |
| 22/8/2026 | Newton Abbot | Saturday |
| 27/8/2026 | Newton Abbot | Thursday |
| 7/9/2026 | Newton Abbot | Monday |
| 18/9/2026 | Newton Abbot | Friday |
| 28/9/2026 | Newton Abbot | Monday |
| 17/10/2026 | Newton Abbot | Saturday |
| 28/10/2026 | Newton Abbot | Wednesday |
Newton Abbot Racing Tips
| Meeting | Time | Name | Add To Bet Slip |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | –:– | — | |
| No Race Fixtures found today |
Newton Abbot Races History
The racecourse was founded in 1866, when local horse racing enthusiasts pooled their money to purchase the 91-acre site for hosting races.
The venue quickly gained popularity and was well-attended almost immediately. Still, a lack of further investment meant that a proper grandstand to house spectators was not built on the site until 1969, when Her Majesty The Queen Mother attended to officially open it.
Racing has been halted three times at Newton Abbot – during World War I, when it was occupied by troops and used as a prisoner-of-war camp; during World War II, when racing was suspended to allow for the potential occupation of the site (although this never materialised); and in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic closed the venue, although racing resumed behind closed doors after several months.
In 1974, the nearby Halfway Greyhound Track at Kingskerswell closed when the land was sold for redevelopment. A new greyhound racing track was constructed in the final turn at the track, designed to be deconstructed and removed whenever horse racing took place. The all-sand greyhound track also stayed independent, earning it the nickname ‘in the biz’ as a ‘flapping track’. At its peak, it was famous for hosting local races, the Newton Abbot Derby and the Newton Abbot St Leger, with five local independent bookmakers present to manage the betting activities of racegoers. However, the greyhound track was not set for long-term success, and it closed its doors for the final time back in 2005.
The hospitality and conferencing facilities, so popular at the racecourse today, were opened in 1990, allowing the venue to diversify its business and open new income streams.
Newton Abbot Racecourse Map
Below is a map of Newton Abbot Racecourse:
The course features left-handed turns with tight corners.
This means it favours more handy horses ridden at a faster pace.
Fences are easy, and a very short run-in on the hurdles course means the lead very rarely changes hands after jumping the final flight.
Main Races and Events Held at Newton Abbot
The most notable race held at Newton Abbot is undoubtedly the Lord Mildmay Memorial Handicap Chase. Held every August, the race is run over a distance of two miles and five and a half furlongs. It is considered the epitome of summer racing at Newton Abbot and has held listed status in the horse racing calendar since 2008.
The most successful horse at the Lord Mildmay Memorial Handicap Chase is Kings Brook, having won twice; however, Take The Stand won in 2004 and went on to finish second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup later that season. Successful too was Snoopy Loopy, trained by Peter Bowen in 2008, who continued to win the Haydock Grade 1 Betfair Lancashire Chase.
Newton Abbot Racecourse Address
The address of Newton Abbot Racecourse is:
Newton Abbot Racecourse
Newton Road
Kingsteignton
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 3AF
How To Get To Newton Abbot Races
The ways to get to Newton Abbot Races are:
- By car – a short drive and well signposted from the M5, with free parking available to accommodate up to 5,000 vehicles. Details for your sat nav – Devon TQ12 3AF
- By rail – the rail station sits on the mainline from London Paddington and is less than three-quarters of a mile from the course, a short journey that most racegoers arriving by train choose to walk.
- By bus – bus routes are largely rural, but the town of Newton Abbot itself is well-served by buses.
- By air – helicopters can land at Newton Abbot by prior arrangement.
Hotels near Newton Abbot Racecourse
The nearest hotel to the Newton Abbot course is the Premier Inn Newton Abbot, a straightforward and non-fussy budget accommodation option.
In the surrounding area, other options include The Passage House Hotel, Best Western Queens Hotel and The Union Inn. Newton Abbot isn’t huge, so many racegoers travelling stay in nearby Exeter.
Here are the best hotels near Newton Abbot Racecourse;
- Premier Inn Newton Abbot Hotel (0.1 miles)
- Passage House Hotel (0.8 miles)
- Keyberry (1.3 miles)
- Cockhaven Arms (2.7 miles)
Betting Shops Local to Newton Abbot
Tote betting is particularly popular at the racecourse, and the course frequently lists heavy income from this form of having a ‘flutter’!
Branches of a William Hill betting shop, a Ladbrokes betting shop and a Betfred betting shop can all be found in Newton Abbot town centre.
Other Events Held at Newton Abbot
The racecourse is anything but a one-trick pony!
As well as a packed racing calendar, it hosts weekly car boot sales, regular antique fairs, The Newton Abbot Country Show, The Newton Abbot Wellbeing Show and The South West Angling Show – all of which attract visitors from the local area and further afield.
Popular Questions
✅ How far is Newton Abbot Racecourse from the train station?
Newton Abbot Racecourse is less than three-quarters of a mile from the course – a short journey that most racegoers arriving by train choose to walk.
✅ Who owns Newton Abbot Racecourse?
Newton Abbot Racecourse is privately owned by Newton Abbot Races Ltd.
✅ What is the address of Newton Abbot Racecourse?
The address of Newton Abbot Racecourse is:
Newton Abbot Racecourse
Newton Road
Kingsteignton
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 3AF
Summary of Newton Abbot
A small rural course, Newton Abbot is always a great day out.
Whilst the racing may not technically be of the highest quality, it is always competitive and a great day out for family and friends, as well as those in the know.
A popular and independent course, we love spending an afternoon here. It also has excellent food options.
A little star.
