Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-the-rush">1/ The rush</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/Raceday-Creative-December-.jpeg" alt="jockeys riding at Exeter racecourse " class="wp-image-58012" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/Raceday-Creative-December-.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/Raceday-Creative-December--800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/Raceday-Creative-December--1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/Raceday-Creative-December--768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/Raceday-Creative-December--788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Go get giddy! When it comes to adrenaline-packed outdoor viewing, a day at the races is hard to beat. You can feel the excitement in the air from the racegoers, the jockeys and the horses themselves &#8211; it&#8217;s quite the rush.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-no-need-to-put-on-the-glad-rags-but-you-can-if-you-fancy">2/ No need to put on the glad rags (but you can if you fancy)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/329027186_714440060084476_3547613681036147861_n.jpg" alt="Dressing up for a day at the races" class="wp-image-58016" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/329027186_714440060084476_3547613681036147861_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/329027186_714440060084476_3547613681036147861_n-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/329027186_714440060084476_3547613681036147861_n-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/329027186_714440060084476_3547613681036147861_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/329027186_714440060084476_3547613681036147861_n-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you like to dress up, the races are a great chance to don the glad rags, but this isn’t Ascot so you can leave your designer duds at home and put comfort first as the Jockey Club no longer have a formal dress code at any of their 15 racecourses, including Exeter. Dress as you please. Yes, wear that fab hat you bought for Aunty Doodah&#8217;s wedding that rarely gets an outing and don&#8217;t forget to dress for the weather &#8211; it can get chilly up on Haldon. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-the-prize-money">3/ The prize money</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/EXE-Haldon-1-.jpeg" alt="horses leaping over fences " class="wp-image-58013" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/EXE-Haldon-1-.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/EXE-Haldon-1--800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/EXE-Haldon-1--1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/EXE-Haldon-1--768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/EXE-Haldon-1--788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Many of the races have thousands in prize money up for grabs. Plus, if you&#8217;re coming with family or friends, having a flutter on is a great way to up the ante and to let off steam, cheering your favourites onto the finish line. It can get <em>very</em> competitive!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-meet-the-stars-of-british-racing">4/ Meet the stars of British racing</h2>



<p><a href="https://nationalracehorseweek.uk/events/?search_location=devon">National Racehorse Week</a> is a nationwide annual celebration of the racehorse when racing training yards, studs and aftercare centres up and down the country open their doors. Among the stables participating in our locale is the former professional jump jockey, Chris Honour at Newton Abbot, and former Jockey &amp; National Hunt trainer Jess of Molland Ridge Stud at Chumleigh in North Devon. A great way to take a peek behind the scenes, we say.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-the-scoff-and-quaff">5/ The scoff and quaff</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/food-drink-_-media-gallery_3.jpg" alt="plate of food being delivered by waiter to table" class="wp-image-58017" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/food-drink-_-media-gallery_3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/food-drink-_-media-gallery_3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/food-drink-_-media-gallery_3-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/food-drink-_-media-gallery_3-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/food-drink-_-media-gallery_3-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Don&#8217;t fancy eating in the stands? Turn a day at the gee-gees into a gastro delight by booking into the <a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/hospitality/desert-orchid-restaurant/the-season-opener/">Desert Orchid Restaurant</a>. I&#8217;ve not yet had the pleasure but I know friends who have and who tell me the £120pp for the three-course carver lunch is worth every penny as it comes with free parking included, easy access to the parade ring and grandstand and you can make your table your own private base for the day. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-make-like-a-vip-in-your-own-private-box">6/ Make like a VIP in your own private box</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/champagne_reception.jpg" alt="champagne reception" class="wp-image-58018" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/champagne_reception.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/champagne_reception-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/champagne_reception-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/champagne_reception-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/champagne_reception-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Did you know you only need 15 people to <a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/hospitality/private-boxes/#vip_box_experience">hire out your own private box</a>? With your&nbsp;own private balcony access, and access to each enclosure and the Parade Ring, it sounds like a great way to party like a VIP. Boxes are available for every fixture and available by calling 01392 834176.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-kids-go-free">7/ Kids go free</h2>



<p>Yep, simple as that. If they’re under 18 and accompanied by an adult, entry for your little darlings is entirely free.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-got-you-in-the-mood-here-s-the-full-line-up-of-what-s-coming-up-locally-in-autumn-winter-2023">Got you in the mood? Here&#8217;s the full line up of what&#8217;s coming up locally in autumn/winter 2023:</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/exeter-grandstand-.jpeg" alt="stands at Exeter Races" class="wp-image-58014" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/exeter-grandstand-.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/exeter-grandstand--800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/exeter-grandstand--1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/exeter-grandstand--768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/exeter-grandstand--788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/events-tickets/the-season-opener/">Season Opener</a>, Thurs 12 Oct </strong>Featuring two top quality class 3 chases with more than £40k in prize money on offer with the whole day topping £72k in total</li><li><a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/events-tickets/best-mate-chase-day/">B</a><strong><a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/events-tickets/best-mate-chase-day/">est Mate Chase Day</a>, Tues 24 Oct </strong>A day dedicated to Best Mate, one of the true great horses in history, known for winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002, 2003, and 2004 with jockey Jim Culloty. His last race was seen at Exeter Racecourse where a memorial to commemorate his life is situated outside the weighing room. A varied race card, featuring two class 3 worth £44k and a brand new junior bumper for 3 year old national hunt horses.</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/events-tickets/haldon-gold-cup/">The Betway Haldon Gold Cup</a>, Fri 10 Nov</strong> Part of a blockbuster weekend in the West Country with Wincanton&#8217;s popular Badger Beers Chase the following day.Greaneteen, Best Mate, Edredon Bleu, Cue Card and Politologue are just some of the big names to win the Haldon Gold Cup in recent years, but who will be next?</li><li><a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/events-tickets/afternoon-racing/"><strong>Af</strong></a><strong><a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/events-tickets/afternoon-racing/">ternoon Racing</a>, Mon 20 Nov</strong> Part of their traditional novice chaser heritage this day is headlined by two class 3 novice chases. Exeter is well known for its galloping track which is suited to young horses developing their jumping career. The day also hosts 3 novice hurdles and a conditionals race which will offer you the chance to see potential future stars both human and equine.</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/events-tickets/devon-day/">Devon Air Ambulance Day</a>, Sun 26 Nov</strong> Supporting the Devon Air Ambulance who do a fantastic job around the county and featuring three class 3 and totalling over £110k of prize money. A great family day out.</li></ul>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/">Exeter Racecourse</a>, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7XS. Tel: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=exeter+racecourse&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8#">01392 832599</a></em></strong></p>


6 reasons to hoof it to Exeter Racecourse this autumn

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