The boss of Newton Abbot racecourse says he could close a section of a new £3million cycle route if vandalism continues.
Patrick Masterson (pictured) is 'appalled' by what has happened since the Teign Estuary Trail was extended along the back of the racecourse.
Horses and jockeys are being put in danger by people throwing rocks and other rubbish on to the back straight, he says.
In the latest incident children climbed on to the course and caused hundreds of pounds damage to one of the fences.
Staff have also been verbally abused by members of the public unhappy that the trail is closed by gates on race days.
Ultimately Mr Masterson has the power to permanently shut a section of the new route to the public.
"We would be within our rights to close it," he says.
"But we don't want to do that. We are working extremely hard with everybody concerned to sort it out.
"But it is really irritating to myself and my staff because we are wasting time doing things we shouldn't have to."
A new bridge linking North Quay in Newton Abbot to Kingsteignton opened to much fanfare in February.
It created a new section of the Teign Estuary Trail — a cycle and pedestrian route which runs parallel to the back straight of the racetrack.
In the first month of it opening the route was used by 1,300 cyclists and has been heralded as a success.
But Mr Masterson says access to the track is being abused by some.
He said: "We are appalled at the additional vandalism caused to the racecourse since the opening of the cycle track with children trespassing on the track, jumping on fences, throwing rocks on to the racetrack and more."
He says the problems have been happening 'every day since the cycle track opened'.
"We are constantly having people coming on to the racecourse and doing criminal damage by smashing signs and throwing rocks.
"We are asking staff to go out and pick up rocks being thrown from the railway embankment. I walked the course the other day and found a broken plate on the course.
"Last week some children jumped all over the fences and put a picture on Facebook, so we called the police."
He has decided to speak out after complaints from members of the public about the gates being locked on Easter Saturday.
As part of the deal to lease the land to the council the trail must be closed on race days one hour before the first race and opened an hour after the last race.
"It was two to three hundred people kicking off because they knew nothing about it. It is not my responsibility to make the public aware of it. It is the council's responsibility."
He says the gates have to close because he cannot afford the costs of manning the area with stewards on race days.
"I do not expect my staff to be abused by the general public when we close the gates. We have given over the land by good grace and this should be respected."
Police said they had identified a youth involved in alleged criminal damage and would be speaking to him.
Devon County Council — which leases the land on which the route flows — has promised to monitor the vandalism.
A spokesman said: "The co-operation of the racecourse has made this trail and bridge possible and we are working closely with them to address this issue of vandalism.
"We would also ask for the local community to work with us and report to the police anyone seen causing damage to the racecourse or trail."
