Fascinating insight into a wild Devon race day in the 1800s

Torquay Races were first held in February 1854 in Cary Park. The races moved to Petitor in 1878 and then to Waddeton in 1888. In 1887 the races were moved back to the Petitors and a permanent stand was built for 3,000 spectators. By the following year the attendance had risen to more than 15,00 people. There were also several other horse races in South Devon. National Hunt racing continued until September 1938. It was requisitioned by the Admiralty for the war effort and the land was sold in 1950. The land is now covered by an industrial estate.