Earliest meeting: Thursday 16th February 1854
Final meeting: Monday 25th March 1940
There was evidence of racing in the seaside town of Torquay, in the County of Devon, as early as 1854 when the inaugural meeting was held at Cary Park, Babbicombe, on Thursday 16th February 1854. The races were organised by local tradesmen, notably the baker, the hatter and the candlestick maker, and the course even boasted a rudimentary grandstand adjacent to Furrough Cross cottages. After a lapse of almost a decade, in 1864 the races moved from the Furrough Cross site to Petitor and became increasingly popular due to special trains which ran from both Exeter and Plymouth. However, the South Devon MP, Sir Lawrence Palk, informed the race committee that 1876 would be the final meeting to be held at the racecourse as he was unhappy with the antisocial behaviour and drunkenness which the races attracted. Having remained at the site for 12 years, they transferred to a course midway between Galmpton and Waddeton. The first meeting, a two-day affair held at the new course was on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th April 1878. The move was shortlived and within 8 years the meeting had moved yet again. The Second Lord Haldon, son of Sir Lawrence Palk, also named Lawrence, was happy to see Torquay races return to the Petitor racecourse, with discussions with the race committee beginning as early as 1883, the year of his father’s death; work beginning on a permanent grandstand. In March 1886 Lord Haldon laid the foundation stone for the permanent grandstand in readiness for the inaugural meeting in Easter 1886. The course subsequently shared its existence with Torquay Golf Club, benefitting from its many facilities, and for one week a year the Race Committee leased the course from the District Council. Although a meeting did take place in 1915, racing then ceased due to the War, returning in 1920. The final meeting took place on Monday 25th March 1940 when almost 9000 enjoyed a welcome break from worries about the War. Although races ceased for the duration of the War, a bomb destroyed most of the facilities, including the grandstand on Sunday 23rd May 1943. When the War ended it was decided that rebuilding costs were too great and racing transferred to Newton Abbot.
Sir Ernest Wills, Major H.Sinclair, Sir Lawrence Palk
Abbey Steeplechase, West of England Handicap Steeplechase, Watcombe Hurdle, Tor Abbey Chase
1854 Cary Park, Babbicombe
Prior to 1854 Torquay was well known for its annual regatta races, but had not up to that point held horse races. A number of local tradesmen, admirably led by Arthur Browse, set about changing that, energetically collecting subscriptions until he had sufficient to stage an inaugural Steeple Chase meeting on Thursday 16th February 1854. A temporary grandstand was erected by Mr Harvey in a field called Furrough Cross, St Mary Church, and those fortunate enough to secure a place in the grandstand commanded a view of the entire course. The course was over fair hunting ground with numerous natural fences, and the grandstand was cramped to excess, with the surrounding hills and nearby trees also thickly crowded with thousands of spectators. The Stewards were Mr R S Cary, Major Studdy and Mr Whidbourne, while Mr Arthur Browse was rewarded for collecting so many subscriptions by being made Clerk of the Course. At 2 o’clock the 3-race card began with the principal race, the Torquay Grand Steeplechase for £100.
Thursday 16th February 1854
Torquay Grand £100 Steeplechase
1. SLATTERN, chestnut mare owned by Captain Webb and ridden by James
2. WATERFORD, bay horse owned by Mr Formby and ridden by Bealey
3. GIPSY BESS, bay mare owned by Captain Rhy and ridden by Mardum
4. LINNETT, brown mare owned by Mr Dallimore and ridden by Vivian
Hunters Stakes for 40 Sovereigns
1. FAWN owned and ridden by Mr Deacon
2. MULTUM-IN-PARVO owned and ridden by Mr Formby
3. LENDA owned and ridden by Mr Baker
The final race was the Scramble Stakes, after which athe Race Dinner took place at the Union Hall, followed by a Race Ball at Webb’s Royal Hotel Assembly Rooms under the patronage of Mrs Carr, Mrs Sutherland and Mrs Gardiner. The end of the Race Ball marked the end of racing in Torquay for a decade, with local activists honing in on a couple of unfortunate incidents involving horses at the meeting, citing cruelty to animals as a reason for the meeting to cease.
Sir Lawrence Palk
Lawrence Palk, born on 5th January 1818, was the son of the 3rd Baronent Sir Lawrence Palk and his wife Anna Wrey, the daughter of Sir Bourchier Wrey, himself a 7th Baronet. Lwarence was eductaed at Eton and, at the age of 42, he succeeded his father as a Baronent, having already served as MP for South Devon since 1854. He had married Maria Hesketh, daughter of Sir Thomas Hesketh, the 4th Baronet of Rutland, on 15th May 1845 and they had 6 children, the oldest of which was also named Lawrence. Lawrence remained MP for South Devon until 1868, after which he remained in the House of Commons as MP for East Devon until 1880. He died on 23rd March 1883 and was succeded by son Lawrence.
1864-1876 Petitor
After racing lapsed for a decade, since its inaugural meeting in 1854, there was a renewed appetite for racing in the town, supported by local dignitary Sir Lawrence Palk, and by a newly formed partnership with the South Devon Railway Company which had started running trains to Torquay from as early as 18th December 1848. The Torquay and South Devon Club were instrumental in raising funds for a new meeting, and to provide the drive to ensure the meeting took place. A new venue was chosen at St Mary Church, about 2 miles from the town centre, and the meeting was staged on Thursday 25th February 1864 on a course containing 20 jumps, including a water jump, and an excellent grandstand providing a good view of the entire course. The South Devon Railway Company issued return journeys at single fare prices, and an immense crowd supported the venture. The two-tier wooden grandstand allowed for a fee to be paid by spectators to watch from the upper tier, while underneath there was sufficient room to cater for up to 1200 people. Each year a new grandstand was erected and put out to tender, and at the conclusion of the meeting it was dismantled and the wood sold off in lots. Sir Lawrence Palk was accompanied by Lady Palk, along with other local dignitaries Major-General Hutchinson and Brigade-Major Kirk. The racing experience was made all the more pleasant by the band of the Torquay Rifles who occupied a position opposite the Grandstand and played between races. The opening race was an Open Steeplechase for 100 Sovereigns over 3 miles.
Thursday 25th February 1864
Open 100 Sovereign Handicap Steeplechase over 3 miles
1. CAREW, bay gelding owned and ridden by Mr J R Riddell
2. SIR BOBBY, brown gelding owned by Mr Nugent and ridden by Nugent jnr
3. PUGILIST, bay gelding owned by Major-General Hutchinson and ridden by Gregory
4. FIREFLY, brown gelding owned and ridden by Mr Bidgood
Torquay Hunt Steeple Chase over 2 1/2 miles
1. TIPPERARY LASS, grey mare owned by Captain Fisher and ridden by John Gee
2. JACK TAR, bay gelding owned and ridden by Mr Bond
3. LA REINS, bay mare owned by Mr J Kitson and ridden by Arthur Gee
4. NAMELESS, bay mare owned and ridden by Captain Keating
5. ALICE, bay mare owned by Mr Richard Morris and ridden by Cann
6. CORA, bay mare owned by Captain Palliser and ridden by Grant
West of England Hunt 60 Sovereign Steeplechase over 3 miles
1. AUNT SALLY, bay mare owned and ridden by Mr J R Riddell
2. HERMIT, aged bay gelding owned by Mr Williams and ridden by Gregory
3. CYCLONE, aged bay gelding owned by Mr Richards and ridden by Staples
4. BEST MAN, bay gelding owned by Mr E R King and ridden by Grant
5. FENCER, chestnut gelding owned by Mr Carter and ridden by J Nute
6. SARACENS HEAD, brown gelding owned and ridden by Lieutenant Hutchinson
Torquay 25 Sovereign Selling Steeplechase over 2 1/2 miles
1. FLYING DUTCHMAN owned by Mr Soper and ridden by Kelly
2. ARTLESS owned and ridden by Mr Richards
3. LITTLE DAN owned by Captain Clarke and ridden by Butler
4. SUNRISE owned by Major-General Hutchinson and ridden by Gregory
Leading up to the 1876 meeting the MP Sir Lawrence Palk had expressed his displeasure to the local Race Committee about the increasingly anti-social behaviour at race meetings, and suggested that the 1876 meeting should be the final one to be held at the venue. The meeting which took place on Tuesday 18th April 1876 resembled a modern-day meeting in many ways, not least because of the published times of races and the published starting prices of the horses.
2.0 Licensed Victuallers Plate 1. PERSEVERANCE 2. SIDMOUTH 3. JEMMY
3.0 West of England open Handicap Plate 1. BELLISSIMA (4/1) 2. LOPEZ (5/1) 3. STANTON (3/1) 4. SILVERMERE (evens fav)
3.45 Open Hunters Plate 1. EXECUTIONER (4/6 fav) 2. LEONORE (3/1) 3. LANCER
4.30 Hunt Club Steeplechase 1. THE STAG (2/1) 2. GUNNER (3/1)
5.15 Free Handicap 1. VIXEN (6/4) 2. SWALLOW (1/2 fav)
5.45 Polo Challenge Cup 1. FAIRY 2. ENCHANTRESS 3. MOODY
1877 No Meeting
Once it had been decided to leave Petitor the Torquay Race Committee had to search for a new venue. Initially they decided to team up with the Newton Abbot race committee, hoping to run a joint meeting. The East & South Devon Advertiser reported in February 1877 that the two committees hoped to share a meeting at Kingskerswell, but it was not to be, and the two went their separate ways, Torquay holding a meeting at Waddeton in 1878, under the auspices of Stewards Lord Churston, Mr R Mallock, Mr R Cary and Mr W Chatto, while Newton About held their first meeting in 1879.
1878-1885 Waddeton
The agreed site of the new racecourse was mid-way between Galmpton and Waddeton, with the inaugural 2-day meeting taking place on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th April 1878. A feature of the meeting was the riding of professional jockey C Archer.
Thursday 25th April 1878
Licensed Victuallers 30 Sovereigns Plate over 2 1/2 miles
1. HASTE AWAY (4/6 fav) owned by Mr R Ferris and ridden by C Barrett
2. KITTY (5/4) owned by Mr F Collinge and ridden by Dareh
3. JESSIE (3/1) owned by Mr George Duder and ridden by Loraine
Torquay Harriers Hunt Club Steeplechase over 2 1/2 miles
1. GAMEBOY (4/5 fav) owned and ridden by Mr Cutmore
2. THE BUCK (evens) owned by Mr L A Dering and ridden by C Barrett
West of England Open Handicap over 3 miles
1. LOTHAIR (4/6 fav) owned by Captain Toogood and ridden by C Archer
2. REPEAL (2/1) owned by Mr Beamish and ridden by G Lowe
3. DELON (10/1) owned by Mr John Newcombe and ridden by H Hayes
4. PROGRESS (4/1) owned by Mr V P Calmady and ridden by Hockaday
Paignton Open Hunters Plate over 3 miles of the Flying Course
1. TOM TUG (3/1) owned and ridden by Mr H Pethick
2. ROUGE GAGNE (1/2 fav) owned by Lord Poulett and ridden by R M Rudd
3. BEGUM (10/1) owned by Mr P Collinge and ridden by Collinge jnr
4. KITTLEHOLDER (10/1) owned by Mr R Ferris and ridden by G Barrett
Torquay Handicap over 3 miles of the Flying Course
1. ANCHORITE (evens fav) owned by Mr W Quartly and ridden by C Archer
2. CALM (5/1) owned by Mr E Taylor and ridden by Loraine
3. COMEDY (5/1) owned by Mr V P Calmady and ridden by Hockaday
4. WILD ROSE (4/1) owned by Mr W Eddie and ridden by G Lowe
5. MESSMATE (3/1) owned by Mr P Collinge and ridden by Collinge jnr
Friday 26th April 1878
Torbay and South Devon 50 Sovereigns Cup over 2 1/2 miles
1. COMEDY (6/4) owned by Mr Calwady and ridden by Hockaday
2. REPEAL (1/2 fav) owned by Mr Beamish and ridden by G Lowe
St Mary's Church Selling Hunters Stakes over 2 1/2 miles
1. TOM TUG (1/2 fav) owned by Mr Pethick and ridden by Pethick jnr
2. JESSIE (6/4) owned by Mr George Duder and ridden by T Skinner
Waddeton Steeplechase over 3 miles
1. LOTHAIR (1/2 fav) owned by Captain Toogood and ridden by C Archer
2. CALM (3/1) owned by Mr Taylor and ridden by Loraine
3. MESSMATE (4/1) owned by Mr P Collinge and ridden by Collinge jnr
4. ANTELOPE (10/1) owned and ridden by Mr Cutmore
Western Counties Hunters Stakes over 3 miles
1. THE BUCK (1/2 fav) owned by Mr Dering and ridden by C Barrett
2. GAME BOY (3/1) owned and ridden by Mr Cutmore
3. JESSIE (4/1) owned by Mr Duder and ridden by Skinner
Babbicombe Stakes over 2 1/2 miles
1. ANCHORITE (1/2 fav) owned by Mr W Quartly and ridden by C Archer
2. WILD ROSE (4/1) owned by Mr Wilson and ridden by C Barrett
3. NEW (5/1) owned by Mr Phillips and ridden by Dareh
4. TUFTY (5/1) owned by Mr Taylor and ridden by Loraine
5. CHIVALRY (5/1) owned by Mr Downe and ridden by Skinner
6. THE CUB (10/1) owned by Mr Bridges and ridden by Barcock
7. ECHO (10/1) owned by Mr Beamish and ridden by G Lowe
I am grateful to Jon Seddon and to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below.
Post 1887 Petitor
The move to Waddeton racecourse was always thought to be a temporary one, especially as the chief opponent of racing at Petitor, Sir Lawrence Palk, was coming to the end of his life. He died on 23rd March 1883, and even before his death a meeting had taken place at the Union Hotel in Torquay on 13th January 1883 to discuss a move back to Petitor. That meeting was informed of Sir Lawrence’s son, Lord Haldon’s desire to return racing to Petitor but on a much grander scale than the previous meetings. Preparations for a return began at that point and, in March 1886, Lord Haldon laid the foundation stone for a brand new, permanent grandstand at St Marys Church capable of holding up to 3000 spectators. The contract to build the grandstand was given to Messrs Crocker and Sons at a cost of £1,400, equivalent to £186,000 in 2021, and was designed by Mr J W Rowell and sons.
Monday 5th to Tuesday 6th April 1926
The Abbey Steeplechase over 2 miles
1. Pride of the Hive owned by Major H.Sinclair
2. Red Zone owned by Major G.E.W.Franklyn
3. Harewick owned by Mrs S.Allden
West of England Handicap Steeplechase over 2 miles
1. Apple Pie owned by Sir Ernest Wills
2. Hackdaile owned by Mrs G.S.L.Whitelaw
3. Rath-Luire owned by Mrs Guy Shorrock
Watcombe Hurdle Race over 2 miles
1. Sound Asleep owned by Sir Ernest Wills
2. Soulector owned by Mr H.J.Bowbeer
3. Carrots owned by Mr A.H.O.Riddell
Initially at Cary Park, then Petitor and Waddeton before returning to Petitor.
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
