Exeter Races

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Described as "the best non-Grade 1 track in the country" by the world famous trainer, Henrietta Knight, possibly best known for training Best Mate, Exeter Racecourse is the home of the Exeter Races. Located just outside of Exeter, high on Haldon Hill, the first Exeter Races were held in the reign of Charles 11, but it took another 100 years for races under the jurisdictions of the Jockey Cup to arrive at Exeter. Back then, the first prize awarded to the winner was just £50, and the course run over 4 miles. Thankfully, since then the prize money and the track has changed - with this years prize money over £70,000. The Exeter Races track has a reputation of being testing, but fair, and has long been seen as a starting point for many horses onto long racing careers - some achieving great success and fame! Great horses that have begun their glittering career at Exeter include Desert Orchid, who one his very first steeplechase at the Exeter Races in 1985, going on to be one of the most famous racehorses seen in modern times. Another famous horse to begin his career at Exeter was Best Mate, who ran and also won his first steeplechase in 2000, and became a horse celebrity - winning three Gold Cups at Cheltenham. An up-and-coming horse, Denman, won his first chase race at the Exeter Races, and has been quoted as a top tip and definitely a horse to keep and eye on for any up-and-coming chase events! The current Clerk of the Course at the Exeter Races is Barry Johnson, who has worked and cared for the course for over 25 years. Top trainers bring their horses to the Exeter course season after season as a tribute to him, such as David Pipe, Paul Nicholls and Philip Hobbs. The racing season at Exeter is between October and May, with 17 races occurring in that season. In addition to this, a William Hill Gold Cup is held in November, and on January 1st they hold races often attracting the biggest crowds of the year.

Exeter Races Facts

The course at Exeter is a National Hunt course, it is right-handed and undulating. It is said to be a stiff test of stamina for all horses that participate, with a circuit of 2m. Food and drink is available, with the Desert Orchid Restaurant particularly popular. Other events that Exeter hosts include car boot sales, weddings and corporate events, with corporate and private boxes available.

Getting There

If travelling by car, the Exeter Racecourse can be found at the top of Haldon Hill, which is alongside the A38 Exeter to Plymouth Road and around 5 miles south west of the end of the M5 Motorway. By train, the nearest station to the racecourse is at Exeter St David's, which is on the London Paddington line and will take around 2 hours from London Paddington station. From the station, there is a free bus service that runs to the racecourse and back every race day. A bus service is also available from Exeter bus station to the racecourse and back, although none of the free buses are in operation on the Arab Flat Race Days.