Earliest meeting: Wednesday 22nd April 1891
Final meeting: Wednesday 11th May 1892
The Devon seaside town of Paignton was, until the 19th century, just a small fishing village which at the time of the 1086 Domesday Book was known as Peynton. However, by 1837 Paignton had constructed a harbour and the town started to grow in prominence. In the latter part of the 19th century the town held its own race meetings under the direction of the Paignton Hunt Committee. The inaugural meeting took place on Wednesday 22nd April 1891 on the Estate of Mr A M Singer at Blagdon Barton, near Collaston just 2 miles from Paignton. The course contained fences and banks which were ‘considerably beyond the jumping capabilities of the horses running’. Despite it raining heavily all day a crowd of 7000 witnessed Jack Frost land both the Blagdon Open Hunters race and the Collaston Hunters Banking race for owner Mr J Pethick. The following year the meeting was staged on Wednesday 11th May 1892 when the Blagdon Steeplechase went to Mr W M G Singer’s Full Cry, while the Paignton Open Chase was won by Mr H E Collier’s Miss Amy. This proved to be the final meeting under rules held at the venue. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 2 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr A M Singer (course owner), Mr R L’Anson & Mr A Waycott (Officials) |
| Principal Races |
Paignton Open Steeplechase, Blagdon Open Hunters Race |
Wednesday 22nd April 1891
Paignton Open Handicap Steeplechase over 3 miles
1. Cheroot, 5 year old owned by Mr W M G Singer
2. Queen of the Moor, chestnut mare owned by Mr G Ryall
Betting: 4/6 Queen of the Moor, Evens Cheroot |
The only recorded meeting took place on Wednesday 11th May 1892. |
| Course today |
A challenging course on the Blagdon Barton Estate. |
| 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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