We may be taking a break from racing throughout the summer but the work doesn’t stop for the team. We have been busy carrying out improvements around the course ahead of the new season and taking the time to look back at our favourite moments of the 2018/19 season.

We began last season with a completely refurbished Owners’ and Trainers’ facility increasing the seated capacity from 78 to 162. A modernised bar improved the experience for our Owners’ and Trainers’ and the full glass frontage provides spectacular views of the Parade Ring and racing action.

Future stars are renowned for starting their campaigns at Exeter and this season we were proud to see this form continue. For a couple of stars, their Cheltenham Festival campaign begun at our Festive Raceday in the JLT Novices’ Chase on Friday 7^th December. In a top quality race, five-year-old Defi De Seuil claimed the Heavitree Brewery PLC Novices’ Chase followed by 6-4 joint favourite Topofthegame in second. The race set both horses up in fine form ahead of Cheltenham, where both showed star quality and claimed a win each at The Festival™  presented by Magners.

The feature race of our season, the Haldon Gold Cup, did not disappoint on Tuesday 6^th November where God’s Own regained his title crowning him the winner of the 2014 and 2019 renewal of the race. Paddy Brennan steered him to a fantastic victory ahead of Ozzie the Oscar and champion jockey Richard Johnson in close second.

Clydesdale’s were the focus of the day on a cold November afternoon at Devon Day, where we saw 6 of the gentle giants thunder down the home straight raising funds for the local Air Ambulance. They will be back next season for the newly named Devon Air Ambulance Day on Sunday 24^th November, where we will be fundraising for the great work that the charity carry out in our county. 

Last season was full of exciting moments, and we are gearing up to do it all again next season, starting with our Season Opener on Thursday 10^th October.