Flat racing stopped in the 1890's,  but there was a steeplechase meeting up to the last war. In the 20's they had three meetings a year. The old meeting started as 'Plymouth' went to 'Plymouth and Devonport' became the 'Plymouth Devonport & Cornwall' and then back to 'Plymouth' again. ! Tom Cannon rode his first winner there [1860].

Tom Cannon & Plymouth Races. A Winning Start.

Elegance. Elegance in the saddle and on foot.

Integrity.........Tom Cannon

One of the best jockeys ever and perhaps one of the least known. A man whose worth was appreciated at the time though.

Winner of thirteen Classic races including a Derby and St Leger, five times winner of the Grand Prix de Paris. A man who earned the equivalent of six million pounds in his career, very little of which was wasted. He bought land and property, at one time having control over nearly 3,000 acres [some rented] and the house Garlogs and the Grosvenor Hotel, Stockbridge.

Tom Cannon owed his start in racing to a chance meeting between his father, an Eton horse dealer, and William Sextie. An essay on William Sextie will be found elsewhere on this site, suffice to say here he was a very talented animal painter and trainer. He took on the twelve year old Cannon as an apprentice, and quickly appreciating his talent found him a place with the Day’s at Danebury, a much larger and 'fashionable' stable. Thus began a fine career as rider, trainer and owner.

Cannon was born, at Eton, on 23^rd April 1846. His first ride was at the Plymouth meeting 21 August 1860 and his first win the next day. He was still then in Sextie’s employ. It should be noticed the win was for Lord Portsmouth a relationship which lasted till the Earl’s death in 1891 - the year Cannon had his last ride on Bendetto, at Kempton.

Plymouth, Devonport and Cornwall

Tuesday 21 August 1860

The Tradesmen’s Handicap Purse Of £60, 1 mile

Evens  Miss Eleanor, 5 to 4 aganist Water Sprite.

Won by a length; ten lengths.

Winner owned by Mr W Gulliver. Scarlet, blue cap.

Wednesday 22 August 1860

The Chelston Manor Stakes - winner to be sold for £100

Of 3 sovs each, with 25 added Heats; 6 furlongs.

First heat won by a head; second a dead heat; third half a length.

The winner was sold for 48gns. Winner owned by Lord Portsmouth. White, black hoop & cap. [No betting returns for this day were given.]

Tom Cannon died at the Grosvenor Hotel on 13 July 1917 in his 72^nd year.

If you have :-

a favourite memory of this racecourse;

photos or a postcard of the course;

a members badge from the course, either to sell or as a scan;