Exeter Racecourse’s 25 per cent off pre-booked ticket offer for its iconic New Year’s Day ends at Midnight on Christmas Eve. There’s no better way to see in the New Year than a day’s racing and thousands of Westcountry folk will be making their annual pilgrimage to take part in a great Devon tradition. With the raceday on a Sunday, Monday, January 2 is a Bank Holiday, which is another perfect excuse to come racing and round off the festive season in style.
This meeting is immensely popular as people gather to enjoy the equine stars in action and to socialize; good cheer and camaraderie are sure to be the order of the day.
The seven races get underway at 12.40 with the Exeter Racecourse National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Hurdle. Bathwick Tyres, which have the largest range of tyres, alloy wheels, batteries and exhausts in the South-West, sponsor three races on the card – the maiden hurdle, a three mile handicap chase and a two miles three furlongs beginners’ chase. The Thurlestone Hotel sponsors the two miles two furlongs handicap hurdle and the Passage House in the two mikes three furlings handicap chase. Legendary horseman Billy Williams is remembered in the concluding bumper.
General manager Dan Thompson said: “The atmosphere at Exeter on New Year’s Day is always fantastic with people wanting to celebrate the first day of the New Year in the fresh air against the backdrop of some thrilling racing. Nothing beats the experience of a day at the races.”
At each meeting racegoers are encouraged to meet an ex-racehorse, and New Year’s Day’s special guest in the South West Shelters stable is Natalie Warren’s Tatawor who now competes and hunts from his home near Bantham beach having retired from racing six years ago.
On the day Premier tickets cost £22 and Grandstand and Paddock tickets are £17 each with discounts if purchased in advance. Children aged 17 and under race free. A courtesy bus leaves Exeter St Davids at 11am and the Bus and Coach Station at 11.15am returning half an hours after the last race.
For further information visit
www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk and for up to date information follow @ExeterRaces or Facebook.
