Exeter Racecourse launches first Christmas Cup in festive December raceday

Exeter Racecourse will stage its first-ever Christmas Cup this Thursday (18 December), introducing a new feature race to one of the venue’s busiest fixtures of the year.

The Christmas Cup will be run as part of the Racing Blogger Christmas Cup Handicap Chase, a race that already attracts strong interest from regular racegoers in the South West.

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This year’s jumps season has seen several notable performances at Exeter. 

Lulamba, regarded as one of the most promising young chasers in training, strengthened his reputation last weekend with a Grade 1 win at Sandown and is now a leading prospect for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Earlier in the season, the Haldon Gold Cup produced a competitive field, with Thistle Ask winning for trainer Dan Skelton and jockey Harry Skelton.

Exeter Racecourse General Manager Jack Parkinson said the December raceday offered a mixture of racing and seasonal activities.

“Exeter’s Christmas meeting is about friends and colleagues coming together, cheering on the horses, and enjoying a lively, communal atmosphere,” he said. 

“With hospitality, live music, and free buses, it’s a day that gives people plenty of reasons to come back year after year.”

After racing finishes, live music from The Mechanics will continue into the early evening. 

Free buses between Exeter St Davids and the racecourse are scheduled to run at 11am and return at 4pm.

Gates open at 11am, with the first race at 12.30pm and the last at 3.30pm.

The meeting includes seven races, with the new Christmas Cup scheduled for 2pm.

Exeter Racecourse has advised racegoers to allow extra time for travel due to the popularity of the fixture.