Earliest meeting: Wednesday 7th April 1847
Final meeting: Wednesday 7th April 1847
The Central Devon town of Chudleigh is located between Exeter and Newton Abbot. It lies in beautiful countryside on the edge of Dartmoor and is close to the Iron Age Hill Fort of Castle Dyke. Its location between two important settlements enabled it to hold its own race meeting, organised by the Devon Hunt, on Wednesday 7th April 1847. The chosen 4 mile course began at Haldon, Exeter starting a quarter of a mile to the rear of the race stand. Runners then continued over hills, brooks, banks and other features of Devonshire scenery to complete the 16 leaps. The main steeplechase was won by Mr Hare’s Vingt-Un, while a second steeplechase turned into a match between Mr Northmore’s Tavistock and Mr Roy’s Molly Bawn, with Tavistock prevailing. After a very good day of racing a large number attended the dinner at the Clifford Arms in Chudleigh. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Sir John Drintage (steward) |
| Principal Races |
Devon Hunt Steeplechase |
Wednesday 7th April 1847
Devon Hunt Steeplechase over 4 miles
1. Vingt-Un, bay gelding owned by Mr Hare
2. Mouse, bay gelding owned by Mr Henry Swete
3. Bessy, bay mare owned by Mr Hare
4. Gipsy, bay mare owned by Mr Taylor |
The only recorded meeting took place on Wednesday 7th April 1847. |
| Course today |
A 4 mile circuit with 16 leaps starting at Haldon and heading towards Chudleigh. |
| If you have photos, postcards, racecards. badges, newspaper cuttings or book references about the old course, or can provide a photo of how the ground on which the old racecourse stood looks today, then email johnwslusar@gmail.com |
Much of the information about this course has been found using internet research and is in the public domain. However, useful research sources have been:-
London Illustrated News
Racing Illustrated 1895-1899
The Sporting & Dramatic Illustrated
Northern Turf History Volumes 1-4 by J.Fairfax-Blakeborough
The Sporting Magazine
A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt first published in 1996 ISBN 0 900599 89 8
Racing Calendars which were first published in 1727 |
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ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3
652 pages
774 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0
352 pages
400 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7
180 pages
140 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4
264 pages
235 former courses |
| Copies of the above books are only available by emailing johnwslusar@gmail.com stating your requirements, method of payment (cheque payable to W.Slusar) or Bank transfer, and the address where the book(s) should be sent. |
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