Exeter Racecourse

Exeter Racecourse

The exhilarating sounds of hooves thundering on the turf will return to Exeter Racecourse on Thursday, October 6 when racing returns after the course’s annual four month break.

With the sites, sounds and camaraderie associated with racing a draw for those who love the sport, the course is looking ship shape for the first of 16 meetings which take place every month until next May.

Widely regarded as one of the more social sporting events, the racecard provides the common denominator and it is not unusual for complete strangers to ask each other who they fancy as they study the horses as they parade around the paddock.

However, racing is often seen as an exclusive sport with difficult terminology coupled with the mysteries of betting often putting people off.

“But we are doing every thing we can to remove the mysteries of the sport at Exeter by having behind the scenes tours and tipsters talks where our experts explain everything about racing and how to place a bet,” said general manager Alice Everitt who added: “We’re also more than happy to show anyone around on a non racing day so that they can acclimatise themselves with the racecourse. Then when they come racing they’ll know exactly where they are going, what they are doing and, hopefully, how to pick a winner.”

Arguably the South West’s best racecourse, Exeter attracts some of the country’s very best racehorses – held in the same regard by racing fanatics as premier team foot players are by football fans – and the likes of Denman, Kauto Star and Desert Orchid have all graced the track. Last season, Spirit Son won at the track and he looks bound set to become a racing superstar.

As part of its integration with the local community the “Your Racecourse, Our Community” initiative enables charities to be nominated on each raceday and supported them with racecard adverts, banner space and bucket collections…

The racecourse also has packages to suit everyone including a Newcomers Package which is perfect for those having a first taste of the sport and includes a behind the scenes tour of the racecourse.

Grandstand and paddocks tickets cost £15 each and premier tickets are £20 each. There’s a £2 discount for tickets booked on line, a free bus from Exeter Bus Station and Exeter St David’s, which takes racegoers to and from the course, and children aged 17 and under go free.

Dates to note this season are October 6; Best Mate Novice Chase day, October 18; Tote Haldon Gold Cup, November 1; Prize Winners’, November 9; British Armed Forces Free Raceday, November 20; Axminster Carpets Raceday, December 2; Festive Fun and Christmas Cheer, December 15.

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