Guide to Exeter Racecourse
Exeter is a re-branding of the old Devon & Exeter track that has been racing in differing forms for around 350 years. Perched atop Haldon Hill and overlooking (on clear days) the strange but magnificent scenery of Dartmoor, at 850 feet above sea level it is the highest course in Britain. Some locals still refer to it as Haldon racecourse, it’s the original name.
2019 saw the 250th anniversary of the first Jockey Club approved meeting held on the original Haldon Hill course. Situated just outside Exeter on the A38 Plymouth to Exeter road, its status has improved enormously over the past two decades and now has obvious claims to be the premier track in the southwest of England. It only holds meetings from October to May but racing can be of a very high standard for a course off the beaten track.
Highlights: The highlight is the Haldon Gold Cup, a class 2 chase over 2 ¼ miles run in early November. The race has not only been won by some famous horses like Best Mate, Viking Flagship and Azertyioup, but others such as Cue Card have also used this as an introduction to a new season.
Both Desert Orchid and Best Mate made their chasing debuts here and it is classed as one of the fairest courses in the country, particularly for novices. Unfortunately, Best Mate also died here after suffering a heart attack during the 2005 renewal of the race.
The course also hosts its own national which is run in February of each year, the Devon National has proved a popular prep race for the Midlands Grand National.
Type of Racing: National Hunt Only
TV Channel: Racing TV
Bookmaker Streaming Services Available from Betfair, Bet 365.
If you are off to the races at Exeter today then why not download the OLBG app to keep up to date with all the latest Exeter tips from OLBG tipsters?
* All statistics below are based on the previous five years at Exeter
Exeter Outright Favourite Statistics
- Handicap Chases: 34-119 (29%) -9.55
- Handicap Hurdles: 43-130 (33%) -3.84
- Non-Handicap Chases: 24-44 (55%) +0.40
- Non-Handicap Hurdles: 58-114 (51%) -3.27
Exeter Racecourse Map
Right handed course of about 2 miles with many undulations particularly down the back straight where there is a steep one-furlong descent followed by a compensating climb of a similar distance.
Racecourse Address: Kennford, Exeter, EX6 7XS
Racecourse Telephone Number: 01392 832599
To buy tickets for a race day at Exeter, head over to their official ticket booking webpage
