horse racing

Exeter Racecourse set for stylish season finale at Heavitree Brewery Ladies Night

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Tue, 04/14/2026 - 3:39pm

After a season that has delivered shocks, big crowds and standout moments, Exeter Racecourse brings things to a close on Friday 17 April with its most anticipated social fixture, Heavitree Brewery Ladies Night.

The Devon track has not been short of headlines this season. Trainer Nigel Hawke grabbed attention with a remarkable 300-1 winner, one of those results that reminds racegoers exactly why they keep coming back. Strong attendances across family and feature racedays have added to the momentum, setting up a finale that feels well earned.

Ladies Night is expected to...

Goody bags, Easter eggs and family fun at Exeter Racecourse

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Thu, 04/02/2026 - 4:07pm

Families can look forward to a fun-packed Easter Raceday at Exeter Racecourse this Tuesday (April 7), with free goody bags, Easter eggs and a host of children’s activities on offer.

Young racegoers will be invited to take part in a racecourse-wide Easter trail, hunting for coloured eggs and earning a free Easter egg upon completing their sheet. Goody bags will also be handed out on entry, subject to availability, making it one of the best-value days out of the Easter holidays.

Alongside an afternoon of competitive racing, there will be plenty to keep children entertained...

Young runners race down Exeter’s famous home straight on Family Day

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Fri, 03/06/2026 - 4:57pm

Dozens of young runners will soon be charging down the famous home straight at Exeter Racecourse when the much-loved Family Day returns on Sunday, 22 March.

The annual event gives children a rare opportunity to experience the thrill of race day for themselves, sprinting along the same stretch of turf as the racehorses. With race commentary echoing across the course as they run for the finishing post, it is a moment that makes young participants feel like champions.

The children’s dash has become one of the highlights of the day and a firm favourite for families across...

Exeter’s Super Sunday delivers top-class racing on the road to Cheltenham

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Mon, 02/02/2026 - 8:27pm

Exeter Racecourse hosts one of the highlights of its jump racing season with Super Sunday on Sunday 8 February, a meeting that has firmly earned its reputation as a key stepping stone towards the Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-race card regularly attracts high-calibre runners and a strong Irish challenge, reinforcing Exeter’s standing as a serious proving ground at this crucial stage of the season. For racing fans across Devon, Super Sunday offers the chance to witness Festival-quality action on their doorstep.

A centrepiece of the afternoon is the second running of the...

Exeter Racecourse launches Community Raceday and calls for Devon’s community heroes

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Thu, 01/15/2026 - 11:24am

Exeter Racecourse has launched a brand-new Community Raceday and is inviting people across Devon to nominate a community hero who deserves recognition.

Community Raceday takes place on Friday, February 20, during half term, and coincides with Devon Day at the racecourse. The initiative celebrates the people who make a real difference in their communities – from volunteers and carers to sports coaches, fundraisers and quiet grafters who go above and beyond.

Every nominee will receive a free ticket to Exeter Racecourse, and one overall winner will be treated to a Family...

Lavelle’s Silver Thorn too strong in Exeter feature

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Fri, 01/09/2026 - 7:57pm

The Emma Lavelle-trained Silver Thorn won the feature Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, making virtually all the running to score by two lengths from co-favourite El Granjero at Exeter yesterday, where the sun shone on a beautiful day at Haldon Hill.

The grey had won his previous start at Doncaster in December, with his trainer reporting that he was progressing well. Lavelle said: “He’s still learning and he only ever really does as much as he needs to, which is great as he’ll keep improving. We’re very pleased with how he’s handled the ground today, which means he’ll go on...

Exeter Racecourse to stage first-ever Christmas Cup at festive raceday

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Fri, 12/12/2025 - 9:32pm

Exeter Racecourse will host its first-ever Christmas Cup on 18 December, adding a prestigious new race to one of the South West’s busiest pre-Christmas events. The trophy will be contested as part of the Racing Blogger Christmas Cup Handicap Chase, a meeting that already draws hundreds of racegoers eager for a festive day out.

The jumps season so far has seen some standout performances at Exeter. Lulamba, one of the most exciting young chasers in training, is a leading contender for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March, following a Grade 1 success at Sandown last weekend. The Haldon...

Two Devon-trained winners shine at Exeter Racecourse on Devon AIr Ambulance Day

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Tue, 11/25/2025 - 4:22pm

Devon enjoyed success at Exeter Racecourse on Sunday on Devon Air Ambulance Day as two local-trained horses took wins on a busy day of racing.

Tenter Le Tout, a three-year-old filly trained by Chester Williams at George Nympton, ran out an easy winner in the South West Rail Solutions EBF National Hunt Hurdle. Ridden by Harry Cobden, she took the lead approaching the final flight and won by two and a half lengths. Williams said: “We’ll go for some black type or a listed race, and might go for the final at Chepstow next month. She loves the soft ground.” Williams’ mother, Jane, who...

Devon dreams of home victory as Saint Segal lines up for the Haldon Gold Cup

Authored by Lucy
Posted: Fri, 10/31/2025 - 9:35pm

Devon stops for racing next Friday (November 7) when Exeter Racecourse stages the county’s richest raceday, featuring the prestigious BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup.

The spotlight will fall on JPR One as he bids to defend his crown. Trained in Dorset by Joe Tizzard, JPR One stormed to victory in last year’s renewal and now has the chance to etch his name further into the race’s history by becoming only the second horse in recent times to win back-to-back runnings.

“We always enjoy taking our youngsters to Exeter, whether they’re novice chasers or, like JPR One, lining up in a...

Shetland Ponies to Steal the Show at Exeter Racecourse’s Family Raceday

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Wed, 03/12/2025 - 12:13am

Exeter Racecourse is set to host a day of action-packed family fun on Sunday 23 March as the pint-sized powerhouses of the equine world - Shetland ponies - take centre stage.

These spirited little racers, born and bred in the rugged landscapes of the Shetland and Orkney Isles, are a true testament to their ancient heritage. Shetland ponies are one of the oldest and purest breeds in the world, dating back over 2000 years and they will steal the show as they storm up Haldon Hill in front of a packed grandstand.

Twelve of these small-but-mighty ponies will thunder down the...

Pages