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EXETER RACECOURSE.
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Introduction:
Horse racing was first staged in the Exeter area during the reign of King Charles the second. Although everything has changed over the last three hundred and fifty years, the Exeter racecourse site on the Haldon Hills has remained constant.
The early race meetings were organised on an unofficial basis by the local landowners and gentry. Indeed, it was 1769 before the first official meeting was held at the newly designated Haldon Racecourse.
As the years passed, the course established itself as an important regional centre for national hunt racing in the south west of England. To reflect this growth, the racecourse management decided to changed the racecourse name to Devon and Exeter. Then, in the early nineteen nineties, a re branding exercise saw the racecourse name simplified to just Exeter Racecourse.
However, it is interesting to note, despite the various official changes, the people of Exeter still refer to their local track as Haldon Racecourse.
To ensure the future growth and prosperity of the racecourse, in April 2007, it became a member of the Jockey Club Racecourse Group.
The current racecourse is the highest in the united kingdom, being approximately eight hundred and fifty feet above sea level. On clear days, it is possible to obtain distant views of the strange beauty of Dartmoor.
However, the local scenery around the second longest course in the country is breathtaking in its own right. In many respects, it was a fitting arena for the unfortunate and untimely demise of the three time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Best Mate. This legendary horse died of a heart attack during the 2005 running of the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup.
As unwelcome as this incident was in the history of the race, it should not be allowed to detract from the roll of honour of previous winners of this superb Grade Two contest. Indeed, Best Mate was a previous winner of the race, having taken first place in 2001. But pride of place must go to the Nicky Henderson trained Travado, who won the race in three successive years between 1993 and 1995.
The Haldon Gold Cup is amongst many superb races which will be staged on the proposed seventeen days of racing planned for Exeter in 2008.
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Track facts:
The Haldon course is only used for national hunt racing, and the track is closed between late May and early October of each year.
Exeter is a right handed circuit measuring two miles in circumference. It suits gallopers who can cope with a severely undulating track. The most noticeable of the uneven sections occurs in the back straight. It comprises a steep one furlong descent, followed immediately by a reciprocal one furlong challenging climb.
To ensure horses can remain well balanced throughout racing, the effects of the undulations are minimized by long gradual bends. In fact, Exeter is recognised as one of the best race tracks in the united kingdom.
The steeplechase course has eleven fences laid out in the following circuit pattern: the first fence is the water jump, followed by a plain fence, then the first open ditch, three plain fences, the second open ditch, and then four plain fences.
Establishing a jumping pattern can be difficult, as the fences are unevenly distributed. Going away from the grandstand, there are three fences in quick succession, then there is a long break before encountering a group of four fences before the home turn. The remaining four fences are in the long home straight, but once again they are unevenly distributed. The first three follow in quick succession, then there is a one furlong run between the last two fences, followed by a run in of just under one furlong to the winning post.
In many respects, Exeter is a good test of skill. Although the fences are unevenly distributed, they are not difficult, and this makes the racecourse a good educational track for up and coming steeplechasers. To frank this assertion, it is worth noting, both Desert Orchid, and Best Mate, had their first steeplechase races at Exeter.
The seven flights on the hurdles course are also unevenly distributed, with one flight going away from the grandstand, three before the home turn, and three in the long home straight. The run in from the last hurdle to the winning post is just under one furlong.
Despite its areas of difficulty, Exeter is a very fair course, and races can be won by either front runners, or horses coming from off the pace.
Enclosures and hospitality:
 DO Restaurant.JPG)
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse.
Haldon Premier Ticket.
The ticket provides access to the premier area of the Grandstand, with its superb views of the winning post, parade ring, and winners enclosure. The ticket also provides access to all the other public areas of the racecourse.
In this enclosure, the Desert Orchid restaurant provides superb all day facilities for around one hundred and sixty guests. It offers excellent views of the winning post, home straight, and the giant TV screen. There is also access to the stands and paddock areas.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
The ticket provides access to the residual areas of the Grandstands, with views of the winning post, home straight, parade ring and winners enclosure.
Ticket holders have access to the Romany Lad, and William Hill bars, both of which serve drinks and snacks. There are also bar and snack facilities available in the Brockman Hall.
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Disabled facilities:
Exeter racecourse offers a warm welcome to disabled race goers.
A lift in the Brockman Building provides wheelchair access to a covered viewing area in the owners and trainers stand.
There is lift access to a suitable viewing gallery in the Haldon Grandstand. In addition, access is readily available to a ground level viewing platform which overlooks the winning post and giant TV screen. Suitable paths also lead from this particular facility to the paddock and betting areas.
Specialist toilet facilities are available on the ground floor of the Haldon Grandstand and Brockman Building.
Guide dogs are welcome, and most public areas of the course are accessible through ramps and lifts.
Carers may qualify for admission discounts. To discuss this matter, and any specialist requirements, it is best to contact the racecourse in advance of a visit.
Fixtures:
All race meetings at Exeter are national hunt.
Wednesday 07 October.
Tuesday 20 October.
Tuesday 03 November.
Tuesday 10 November.
Friday 20 November.
Friday 04 December.
Thursday 17 December.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
Haldon Hill racecourse is just off the A38 Exeter to Plymouth road. Most west bound traffic uses the M5, which ends about nine miles north of the racecourse.
By Rail:
Being on the main cross country railway line, there are direct services to Exeter from many major united kingdom towns and cities. There is also a direct service between Exeter and London Paddington.
Taxis are available at the railway station, or to book a taxi in advance, telephone Capital Taxis on, 01392 43 34 33.
By Bus:
A free direct bus service from Exeter Saint Davids railway station to the racecourse, operates two hours before the first race, and returns half an hour after the last race. For full details, contact the racecourse.
There are also direct bus services between Exeter bus station and Exeter racecourse.
By Air:
Exeter airport is served by many flights from other united kingdom regional airports. The airport is only ten miles from the racecourse. There are plentiful taxis, or a Stagecoach bus service into Exeter bus station.
Subject to permission from the racecourse management, helicopters may land on the course up to forty five minutes before the first race.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address: Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, Exeter, EX6 7XS.
Tel No: 01392 83 25 99.
Fax No: 01392 83 34 54.
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ACCOMMODATION.
Exeter Court Hotel.
Tel No: 01392 83 21 21.
Situated close to the M5, Exeter airport, and the City of Exeter, the Exeter Court Hotel is the ideal venue for race goers attending Exeter races. All of our bedrooms allow our guests to stretch out and relax. This is because the rooms are light and stylish. All guest rooms have well appointed en suite facilities, remote controlled television, tea and coffee making facilities, and the usual room amenities of a quality hotel.
Our hotel restaurant offers a totally relaxed environment in which our guests are served by friendly but professional staff. All meals are freshly cooked using the best of West Country produce. Our main menu includes; steaks of prime Devon beef, lamb from Dartmoor, and sea food fresh from West Country harbours. If you are looking for a light bite, our warm and friendly bar area serves snacks and light meals.
http://www.exetercourthotel.co.uk/
Lord Haldon Hotel.
Tel No: 01392 83 24 83.
Close to Exeter racecourse, and situated between the City of Exeter and the coast, The Lord Haldon is a fine example of a high quality Country Hotel. The current building incorporates some original features of a previous seventeenth century mansion house, and it retains the gardens and views of rolling Devon countryside whiche were originally designed for the mansion house by Capability Brown.
The hotel bedrooms, including four poster rooms and family facilities, are all en suite and individually decorated, and incorporate remote controlled television, broadband internet access, and the kind of touches you would expect from a fine country hotel, like exquisite views, and fresh flowers in your room. For the culinary minded, our double rosette winning and candle lit Courtyard Restaurant offers superb modern English and continental cuisine, all served by a professional and courteous staff.
