Exeter Races Today – Read Exeter Tips from Devon Track
As a hilltop racecourse, Exeter races today take place at the highest altitude of any track in England. In this complete guide to the Devon venue, we look at everything you need to know.
We examine the history of the course, track configuration, and take a look at the top events and races that we produce Exeter tips on.
History of Exeter Racecourse
There are claims that Exeter is one of the oldest racecourses in the UK. Much like Newmarket, racing in Exeter owes much to the passion of King Charles II, with records suggesting that races took place in the area as early as the mid-17th century.
Though the 1969 bicentenary celebrations at Exeter Racecourse suggest that racing at the site dates back to 1769, there is evidence of there being races on Haldon Hill as far back at 1738.
The course was popular for Flat racing for much of the 19th Century as initial interest in old-fashioned steeplechasing waned. A surviving racecard from 1831 talks about an Old course and a New course, much like there is at Cheltenham races today in Gloucestershire.
Devon And Exeter steeplechases were re-established in a more formal, organised fashion in 1898. Hurdle races were occasionally run at the track before this.
As well as being one of the oldest racecourses, The Jockey Club-owned Exeter is also the highest in the UK at 850 feet above sea level. The old Devon and Exeter name changed to just Exeter in the 1990s.
In 2005 the course hit the headlines for very sad reasons, when the legendary three-time Gold Cup winner Best Mate died at Exeter of a suspected heart attack, while competing in the Haldon Gold Cup.
Is Exeter Races Today Jumps or Flat?
Despite having much Flat racing heritage, the course only hosts National Hunt racing events these days. We cover all of the action from these jump tracks with our Exeter racing tips today.
Exeter is a right-handed, undulating and testing track that suits galloping types. A full lap of this hilly track is two miles round.
The home straight is uphill and the high point comes when turning into the back straight. A steep downhill descent into a dip follows, before the steady climb out of the back and round the home turn. It’s a track that really tests a horse’s stamina and that’s reflected in our Exeter race tips.
For a hurdle race, horses cross seven flights on a full lap. There is a cross hurdle down the side of the course leaving the home straight, then three down the back and three more between the home turn and winning post.
In steeplechases, there are 11 fences on a complete circuit. This starts with the water jump after the winning post. A plain fence and open ditch at the top of the hill follows.
Of four fences in the back straight, the first two come downhill with the next two on the rise out of the dip. The first of that latter pair is also a ditch. That leaves four plain fences after turning for home.
With no artificial watering system, the going can be fast in warmer months, with soft ground common in winter. This is another factor that we consider when making our Exeter horse tips.
Key Exeter Races Fixtures
There are 18 horse racing meetings scheduled for Exeter in 2025, featuring competitive steeplechase and hurdle race action. We will cover all of the race days from this West Country course with our Exeter races tips.
The jumps season starts in October and runs through to April. Among the regular meetings at Exeter races today there are some undoubted highlights.
Towards the start of the jumps season there is the Haldon Gold Cup day in early November. Then in early February, there is the Agatha Christie day, with the Devon National day following later on in that month.
There are a number of events designed to attract more casual racegoers. These include Christmas meetings and New Year’s Day racing, along with a ladies evening. Each and every fixture is covered with our Exeter horse racing tips here at Racing Tipster.
The Biggest Races We Give Exeter Tips for
Having taken a look at some of the biggest fixtures hosted at the Haldon racecourse, it’s time to focus on the top races at Exeter. Here are the most valuable and prestigious races that we cover with our Exeter racing tips.
Haldon Gold Cup
This is the most valuable race at Exeter races today. First run in 1969, it’s a Grade 2 limited handicap chase run in November over an extended 2m 1f.
Famous winners since it became a limited handicap in 1996 include Viking Flagship, Flagship Uberalles, Best Mate, Edredon Bleu, Azertyuiop, Monkerhostin, Cue Card and Politologue. First prize for the 2024 Haldon Gold Cup was £59,440 and went to JPR One.
Plymouth Novices’ Hurdle
A Listed novice hurdle over an extended 2m on Sunday in early February. Some very smart horses have won this race in recent times.
They include Native River in 2015, Politologue the following year, Finian’s Oscar in 2017 and Nicky Henderson mare Luccia in 2023. First prize for this hurdle race in 2025 was £23,776, scooped by Fingle Bridge.
Agatha Christie Mares’ Novices’ Chase
A brand new Listed event for novice chasers and only open to mares introduced in 2025.
This runs over half-a-furlong short of two-and-a-quarter miles and takes place on the same day as the Plymouth Novices’ Hurdle in early February.
Irish raider Only By Night won the inaugural edition, picking up a first prize of just over £23,000.
Future Stars Silver Bowl Novices’ Chase
This Class 2 novice chase over three miles takes place on Haldon Gold Cup day in November. Notable former winners include Native River, Ballyoptic and Thyme Hill.
In 2024, Captain Teague walked over when the other declared runners pulled out due to the quick ground. He scooped all the £21,784 total prize money as a result.
Chudleigh Mares’ Chase
A Listed steeplechase over three miles for mares only. It is now run in late February on the Devon National card, after moving from the other Exeter meeting earlier in the month.
First prize in its new slot was £18,500 with locally-trained Don’t Rightly Know winning that in 2025.
Devon National Handicap Chase
This is a Class 3 0-135 handicap chase over a gruelling extended three and three-quarter miles run in late February.
First prize for the Devon National Handicap Chase in 2025 was £14,787 when Art Decco claimed victory.
FAQs
Is Exeter races on today?
To find out the status of the racing at Exeter, we recommend that you take a look at our racecards section. It will show you if Exeter races abandoned today. If they are on, then you can find predictions, form and information on non-runners here at Racing Tipster.
Where is Exeter Racecourse?
If you’re planning a visit to Exeter races today, you have plenty of options. By car, enter EX6 7XS into your SatNav, with EV chargers available on site. The nearest train station is Exeter St. Davids, with a free bus running from there on race days.
Why give free Exeter tips?
Our Exeter tips today are free because we want everybody to be able to access them, regardless of their financial situation. Times are hard for many people and even the smallest charge to view our content, will put some punters off, who would benefit from our AI-generated betting advice.
Where can I find tips and Exeter races results today?
If there are Exeter races today results and tips will be available right here at Racing Tipster. Our site is full of tips and once the races finish, you can check out our dedicated racing results section to discover how your bets got on.
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