EXETER RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
Horse racing was first staged in the Exeter area during the reign of King Charles II, and while the format and presentation of horseracing has changed over the last 350 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, and it was not until 1769 before the first Jockey Club approved meeting was held at the newly designated Haldon Racecourse.
Over the following years, 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 & 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, Exeter became a member of the Jockey Club Racecourse Group.
The current racecourse has the highest elevation of any trak in Britain, being approximately 850 feet above sea level, and on clear days, it is possible to obtain views of the strange and magnificent countryside of Dartmoor. But race-goers do not need to rely entirely on distant views for a pleasurable experience, for the local scenery around the second longest course in the country is breathtaking in its own right.
Indeed, in many respects, exeter was a fitting arena for the unfortunate and untimely demise of the three time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate, with the legendary henrietta Knight-trained horse dieing of a heart attack during the latter stages of the 2005 running of the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup.
However, as unwelcome as this incident was in the history of the race, it does not 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 are staged on the south western course, and many top class trainers and horses use the track as part of there build up to the major races in the national hunt racing calendar.
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.
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Enclosures and hospitality:
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.
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.
2011:
Tuesday 03 May
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.
Telephone Number: 01392 83 25 99.
Fax Number: 01392 83 34 54.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
BEST WESTERN Lord Haldon Hotel
Tel No: 01392 832 483.
A simple 4 mile journey from Exeter’s Haldon racecourse, and situated within easy reach of the City of Exeter, the Coast, and the M5 motorway, The Lord Haldon Hotel offers race-goers the perfect base to combine a trip to the races with a comfortable overnight stay or a longer break in an historic and beautiful region of South West Britain.
The Lord Haldon is a fine example of a high quality Country Hotel, with the current building combining some of the architectural features of the original seventeenth century mansion house that once occupied the site, with later upgrades, all to provide a stylish modern hotel which manages to retain a degree of historic charm. One original feature retained from history is the hotel’s fine regularly maintained gardens, which offer even greater views over rolling Devon countryside beyond the hotel’s ample grounds.
The hotel’s 25 guest rooms, including an executive room, twin rooms and family rooms, are all en suite and decorated to the highest standards. Each room incorporates remote controlled television with satellite channels, high speed internet access, tea and coffee facilities and many have exquisite views of the gardens and countryside. Room service is also available daily from 7.30 am to 9.00 pm.
For those seeking cullinary delights during their stay, the Lord Haldon’s Courtyard Restaurant offers superb English and A la Carte cuisine, created from the finest seasonal local ingredients, and all served by a professional and courteous staff. In the warmer weather, meals can be enjoyed at tables set out in the actual courtyard adjacent to the restaurant, or on the patio next to the Bar, and of course, all meals can be enjoyed with a fine wine from our comprehensive list of world wide vintages.
The more relaxed facilities of the Tower Bar provide guests with the opportunity to enjoy a snack or less formal meal, while enjoying a drink, including a selection of real ales, while possibly taking in a match or sporting event on Sky Sports. The chef’s traditional menu can also be enjoyed in the Courtyard restaurant along with the A La Carte menu.
To ensure you enjoy your next trip to Exeter Races, try an overnight stay or longer break at the Lord Haldon Hotel. For more details on the hotel, or to book your room in plenty of time, use the link below:
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