Final Fixture Of The Season At Newton Abbot

PLYMOUTH, U.K. - Oct. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- After a successful season, Newton Abbot Racecourse are preparing for the final fixture of the season on Friday 11th October.

The culmination of a fine season of summer jumps racing at the course, Friday’s fixture will be the last chance for racing enthusiasts to enjoy racing at Newton Abbot before the winter break.

Reflecting on the success of this season, Managing Director, Patrick Masterson, said: “This season at Newton Abbot has been phenomenal and having the weather on our side this year has helped to make a big difference.

“Throughout the season we’ve worked hard to ensure that as many people as possible can experience and enjoy all that the sport has to offer, whether they’re new to the sport or regular racing enthusiasts.

“Through our series of money-saving offers and ticket promotions, we’ve been able to make sure that a day’s racing is affordable for all. Plus, we’ve run and hosted a series of initiatives this year to help educate younger racing fans and those that are new to the sport and are still learning more about all aspects of racing.

“On behalf of all of the team at Newton Abbot, we’d like to thank everyone who has supported us this season. As another season ends, we’re now turning our attention to next season to ensure that we can continue to offer an unforgettable day’s racing for all that make the trip to the racecourse.”

In order to support the future of the sport, the racecourse has run a number of initiatives to ensure that children and families take an interest in the sport. Alongside its free entry for under 16s and students policy, the course was also the first host of the national ‘Kids Love the Races’ tour.

Furthermore, each year the course welcomes students from local schools in conjunction with the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust’s ‘Racing to School’ education programme to help teach young people about the sport.

This season also saw the racecourse launch two new initiatives aimed at supporting those who are thinking of making their first trip to the races. Earlier in the season, a local family was invited to become VIP guests for the day and share their experience and top tips in their own blog about the day. This was posted on the racecourse’s website to share first-hand experiences with other families thinking of making a trip.

Later in the season, the course also offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for newcomers and racing enthusiasts to go behind the scenes on a raceday and learn more about the various aspects of racing, from what happens in the weighing room, through to how the fences are made and the course prepared for each fixture.

The lucky racegoers were also told more about the new style padded hurdles which have been trialled at the course this year. Developed through the British Horseracing Authority’s Course Inspectorate Team, the new one-fit padded hurdles have been modified with the aim of reducing injuries to both horses and jockeys. The new style hurdles are one of a number of important incremental changes which have been made over the years to improve welfare and safety in the sport.

Alongside the new initiatives, the racecourse also continued with some much-loved fixtures such as Ladies’ Day in June, where thousands donned their finest attire to enjoy summer jumps racing at its best in the glorious summer sunshine.
In early August, a bumper crowd was in attendance for the richest fixture of the year at the course as part of Newton Abbot’s £100k self-funded fixture. With such a large prize fund, some of the best horses and jockeys were in attendance to compete for a chance to be victorious in the day’s racing.

As one season ends, the racecourse will now turn its attention to its plans for next year to ensure that Newton Abbot Racecourse continues to remain a must-attend day out for all.

Friday’s fixture begins at 1:50pm, with gates opening at 11:50am. Tickets are available online at www.newtonabbotracing.com until 5pm on Thursday 10th October or by calling the racecourse on 01626 353 235. Tickets will also be available on the gate on the day.