Monday, September 28 - Jump racing returns to Exeter Racecourse next Thursday (October 8) when a six race card heralds the start of the new season.

Seventeen race meetings are set to take place between now and the beginning of May and with the racecourse renowned for the quality of racing on offer, spectators will hear the thundering hooves of some of the very best young horses in the country.

General manager Daniel Thompson said: “This is always an incredibly exciting time of year. Exeter is regarded as a very fair track and this means it tends to attract some super young horses and with trainers plotting and planning for the big spring festivals we expect to see many of them here.”

This season, the racecourse’s focus will be on the horse, and the South West Shelters- sponsored stable will give racegoers the opportunity to meet a retired racehorse and find out more about their care and their lives after racing.

Daniel said: “It’s a terrific initiative and very popular among our racegoers. It’s a really wonderful way for people to meet a horse, which in turn gives them a greater understanding of the sport.

“In racing there are various groups and charities that exist so that once a horse retires from racing, it is re-trained so that it can enjoy a new life. It’s an aspect of the sport we’d like to highlight.”

Racegoers will also be able to get up close to a hurdle and chase fence which will be located close to the stable and a free behind the scenes tour an hour before the first race will provide another opportunity to learn more about the sport of horseracing.

The racecourse is offering anyone who pre-books tickets or signs up to the newsletter the chance to win a  share in a racehorse in training with Martin Hill.

Daniel said: “It will give the lucky winner a brilliant opportunity of finding out what its like to become a racehorse owner and we’re very grateful to Martin Hill for his support.”

The first of six races comes under starters at 2.25pm with the Hague Print Management Handicap Hurdle. Other races on the card include the Aggregate Industries Help For Heroes' Novices Handicap Hurdle, the Great Point Media Investments Handicap Chase, the Watch on the Racing UK App Beginners’ Steeple Chase, the Great Point Media Investments Novices’ Hurdle Race and the Bet with your Racing UK App Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap.

A free bus from Exeter St David’s 12.45pm and Exeter Bus and Coach Station 1pm is available before and after racing and children aged 17 and under come racing free. For further information visit www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk.