Earliest Meeting:-Monday 19th September 1831
Final Meeting:- Saturday 23rd October 1880
Lifton, a village in Devon near the confluence of the River Wolf and River Lyd lies close to the Devon and Cornwall and forms part of the Thrushel electoral ward. The village boasts a long history founded by the Saxons and was known as Liwtune in the 9th century at the time of King Alfred and his youngest son Aethelward. Close to the village is the Lifton Park Estate extending over 8000 acres, which contains a large country house built in 1805 by William Arundel. In the early years of the 19th century annual races were held in Lifton Park.
The earliest record of a meeting at Lifton Park was on Monday 19th September 1831 when the Yeomans Silver Cup shown opposite was won by Laundry Maid, a mare owned by Mr Lakeman. The supporting Silver Goblet race was won by Mr Brendon's mare, while a minor race for a saddle and bridle went to Mr Tozer's mare. There was a full attendance at the meeting, and the crowd was entertained by musicians from Launceston, while in the evening a magnificent firework display was set in the grounds of the house of W A H Arundle, founder of the annual races.
Although races were staged on an annual basis, little detail remains, but a meeting did take place on Saturday 23rd October 1880 when the crowd was entertained between races by the musicians of the National School.
The magnificent silver trophy is shown courtesy of David Copland
The races had ceased by 1900, while during the Second World War the country house on the Estate was used to evacuate boys from Hertfordshire. Just after the War had ended the house was partially destroyed by an extensive fire, although significant restoration has now taken place.
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
