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TUESDAY 21 OCTOBER 2025

BEST MATE CHASE DAY

 

We welcome you back to Best Mate Chase Day, on Tuesday 21 October.

 

The new season is well under way as we gallop onto our annual Best Mate Chase Day, honouring the remarkable career of Best Mate here at Exeter Racecourse. Immerse yourself in the buzz of National Hunt racing whether you are a seasoned racegoer or new to the sport, we promise to give you the best raceday experience!  

 

Even better, you can bring your Best Mate for FREE!* Be sure to purchase tickets in advance as this offer applies to pre-booked tickets only!

 

For more about our day which honours the legendary Best Mate who galloped his way into the history books, please see below.

 

BUS TIMES

We offer a complimentary bus service which leaves from Exeter St. David's.

Bus Times: Leaves Exeter St Davids at 12:10am and returns 17:35pm. 

Please note this bus will be with Greenslades Tours.

GATES OPEN

12:10pm

first race

1:40pm

last race

5:05pm

Start Times

Race

Distance

Type

1:40pm THE PRICED UP AMATEUR JOCKEYS' HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 5)  (CL 5) 2m 2f Hurdle
2:15pm THE PRICED UP MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (GBB RACE)  2m 2f Hurdle
2:50pm THE PRICED UP NOVICES' HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 5)
2m 1f  Steeple Chase
3:25pm THE PAUL FERGUSON'S JUMPERS TO FOLLOW BEST MATE HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) (GBB RACE 3m Steeple Chase
4:00pm THE PRICED UP HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) (Challenger Stayers' Hurdle Series Qualifier) 2m 7f Hurdle
4:30pm THE MRS PATRICIA GARDNER MEMORIAL HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 5) 2m 7f Hurdle
5:05pm THE SOUTH WEST '3 YRS OLD' 'JUNIOR' NATIONAL HUNT THE WEATHERBYS AND BIRDIE CALENDARS '3 YRS OLD' "JUNIOR" NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 5) (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB RACE) 1m 5f Flat

BEST MATE: Honouring a Legend

BEST MATE CTA.jpg

Best Mate Chase Day celebrates the life and legacy of one of jump racing’s all-time greats. Trained by Henrietta Knight and ridden by Jim Culloty, Best Mate made his chasing debut with a win right here at Exeter in October 2000, before returning to land the Haldon Gold Cup the following year.

He went on to make history with three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup victories (2002, 2003, 2004), matching the legendary Arkle's record, and also claimed the 2002 King George VI Chase and 2003 Ericsson Chase.

Known as “The People’s Horse,” Best Mate was admired for his remarkable consistency, finishing first or second in all but one of his 22 career starts. Off the track, he was a cheeky character, loved by fans and his team alike. He shared a close bond with stablemate Edredon Bleu, and proudly wore the maroon and blue silks inspired by owner Jim Lewis’s love for Aston Villa.

Though his final race came here at Exeter, where a memorial now stands, his legacy endures, from statues at Cheltenham and near his old yard, to the Best Mate Enclosure at Cheltenham Racecourse, and his place in their Hall of Fame.

Past winners of the Best Mate Chase also include greats such as Sternrubin and Yanworth who both went on to appear at The Festival

Our Racehorse Syndicates Association Race Day provides an ideal opportunity to learn more about racehorse ownership opportunities.


It’s easy to become a racehorse owner and it’s not as expensive as you would imagine.Syndicates and Clubs which are part of the Racehorse Syndicates Association (RSA) must abide by a Code of Conduct and can be trusted to provide an excellent service to their members.


A number of RSA members will be on course for you to find out how you can become a racehorse owner!

 

A full list of RSA Members can be found at www.racehorsesyndicates.org

 

 

We are proud to be working with Autism in Racing at this raceday who will host families on the day with a trained host within the Sensory Room To register to attend with Autism in Racing please visit:

 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AIRRegistration - please note spaces are limited on these days and are on a first come, first served basis.

AIR logo round (1).jpg

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Did you know?

Half price tickets for 18-24 year olds

Half price tickets for 18-24 year olds

Sign up to RacePass and save up to 50% off your admission ticket when aged 18-24.

Collect Rewards4racing points

Collect Rewards4racing points

Make fantastic savings on your raceday experiences with Rewards4Racing. Collect points on your online shopping & betting and start saving today.

Under 18s go FREE

Under 18s go FREE

Under 18s race for free at the majority of Jockey Club racedays. 

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