EXETER Racecourse’s season begins on Thursday, October 12 with a new general manager at the helm.

Jack Parkinson has taken over the reins at the Devon venue and is relishing the prospect of seeing top class horses in action during the autumn and winter jump racing campaign. He’s also looking forward to getting to know the Westcountry having moved to Topsham in East Devon with his family.

“It’s an absolutely beautiful part of the world and my family and I are delighted to have moved here. I’m excited about the season ahead at Exeter. The racecourse is such a significant and iconic venue and horse racing is an important sporting pastime. With three racecourses in the region and many point-to-points, horseracing plays a significant role for both socialising and corporate days out and its great to be working at a track that has such a great reputation.”

Seventeen fixtures will take place at Exeter Racecourse during the 2017-2018 season. Topping the list is Haldon Gold Cup Day on Tuesday, November 7. It is Devon’s richest raceday and attracts high quality horses with the 2m1f Haldon Gold Cup a stepping stone towards the spring festivals.

The ever-popular racing Clydesdales will return on Devon Day on Sunday, November 26 when their beguiling presence will help raise funds for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

One’s of Devon’s greatest traditions – New Year’s Day racing – is another high point in the calendar, while next year, Super Sunday, Family Day and Ladies’ Night are all enduringly popular fixtures. Changes to the fixture list include an additional Sunday on April 8 which has been designated Family Day and there is one evening fixture on May 8 that will celebrate ladies’ night.

Christmas at Exeter is a highpoint and its second December fixture on December 21 this year coincides with the school holidays.

The racecourse will also be sponsoring the point-to-point intermediate series with the hunter chase final at the course next spring.

Jack said: “I’m really looking forward to attending the point-to-points. Hunter chases are an important part of the racing calendar in the spring, and it’s great to support the series with our sponsored races.”

Leading jump jockey Nick Scholfield has also been appointed the racecourse’s ambassador and his weekly blog will be available to read on line.

To book tickets to Exeter’s curtain raiser visit the website: www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk .

Alan Quick