Image Ref : JFB 0290.tif

Totnes Races 1905

Ref 5321 or 53217A - not postcard Totnes Races 1905 - Totnes races.One of the features of races week was the Somerset Steeplechase, run over 4 miles, it started on the other side of the river near Bourton Hall (Chateau Bellevue), round the quarry, then along the Newton Abbot to Totnes road, down the bank past the ropewalk and over the rive Dart with a fast race to finish. Once the tide was mistimed and horses and riders had to swim for it.The last steeplechase was held in 1913, war broke out the next year and they never raced across the river again. ***