Exeter Racecourse & Betting Review: Top Events, Best Offers and Facts

To get you started we’ve put together an easy-to-read table (shown above), which aims to provide just a brief snapshot of what you can expect from what we think are some of the better Exeter betting sites. Here, you’ll get an idea of what kind of welcome bonuses, special event promotions, payout prices and betting types are up for grabs. As we continue, we’ll be sharing some important facts and figures, some historical context, technical course info and more, so that by the time you’re done, you’ll have a thorough overview of the course.

The Turf Itself

Exeter Racecourse is oval-shaped and two miles all the way around, which makes it one of the longest circuits in the UK. Because of this, there are only a few turns and some very long straights, making it enjoyable for long-striding, galloping types. It is, however, noticeably hilly in places but this doesn’t tend to cause too many issues. There are eleven fences of a fair height of which four come in the final, uphill straight of around 170yards, which makes for a stern but very manageable finish.

All in all, it is a fair course where many top trainers like to test out their novice chasers. In years gone by the quality of the turf has not always been the best – especially during the winter months where there’s considerably more rainfall. These days, though, it tends to hold up pretty well, with many top jockeys having commented that they thoroughly enjoy riding there.

Most Popular Exeter Racecourse Horse Racing Events

There has been a significant increase in the quality of competition in Exeter over the last two or so decades. Back when it was named the Devon and Exeter Racecourse it only staged events during the summer, which meant that competitors would be racing outside of the main jump season and therefore not always bringing their A game. Now, however, races take place between October and May – during peak National Hunt season time – and feature some top prizes, which in turn attracts top riders.

The main highlight of the Exeter Racecourse horse racing season is the Haldon Gold Cup, a Grade 2, jump racing event of 2 miles, 1 furlong and 110 yards, which is scheduled to take place in late October or early November. Only horses aged four and above qualify and there is around £62,000 worth of prize money up for grabs – just under £40,000 goes to the winner with the rest divided by the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th-place competitors.

Some Interesting Facts

As previously mentioned, the Exeter horse racing track has attracted some serious competitors over the years. This is not only due to the quality of competition, but also because it is simply a wonderful place to experience, regardless of whether you’re competing or spectating. Some legendary steeplechasers have won Exeter’s showcase event, the Haldon Gold Cup, in the past. The French-bred Azertyuiop recorded his last meaningful victory in 2004 in this race. Earlier in his career, he won the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Arkle Challenge Trophy, the Game Spirit Chase and the November Novices’ Chase.

Racecourse Information:
First Opened:	1769	Exeter Racecourse logo The Grandstand at Exeter Racecourse
Max. Race Distance:	2m 1f 110y
Surface:	Turf
Event:	Haldon Gold Cup
Average Temperature:	3°/21°
Racecourse Capacity:	20000

Other memorable winners of the Haldon Gold Cup include Edredon Bleu, another French-bred horse that won the King George VI Chase, the Championship Chase and the Desert Orchid SW Pattern Chase and finished his ten-year-long career with a very respectable record of 25 wins in 57 outings; Best Mate, the Irish-bred English-trained gelding that was a three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner and whose sudden death in 2015 as a result of a heart attack sent ripples throughout the racing world; and Viking Flagship, an Irish racehorse that won the Tingle Creek Chase in 1994, the Game Spirit Chase in 1994 and 1995 and the Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase in 1993 – among many more championships – before claiming the Haldon Gold Cup in 1997. All of these legends have contributed to making Exeter betting the huge market it is today, and one of the biggest of all the tracks we reviewed.

Exeter Racecourse: The Story so Far

Like so many of the fantastic racecourses around England, Exeter is the product of Charles II and his deep love for the sport of kings. The origins of the course date back to the 17th century, with many claims asserting (although unsubstantiated) that it is the oldest racecourse in the country, although Carlisle will have something to say about that. Nevertheless, the first event on record was held in 1769 – not long after the Jockey Club put in place a proper set of rules for jump racing – with a total prize pot of £50! Nowadays, the amount of money up for grabs is considerably more (although £50 was a respectable amount back then) and Exeter horse racing betting is a massive market for betting sites.

The most recent redevelopments to the Exeter horse racing track took place in 1992 where the old Grandstand – which was constructed in 1911 – was replaced by new, more up-to-date facilities. By 2006 there were three separate stands designed to cater for top-price ticket holders and standard entry attendees alike. As well as the three stands (named the Haldon, the Anstey and the Brockman) there is also a bar for private members as well as a public bar, a state-of-the-art paddock area, conference suites, banqueting halls and more.