TUESDAY 21 OCTOBER 2025
Best Mate Chase Day
HospitalityBEST 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!
BUS TIMES
We offer a complimentary bus service which leaves Exeter St. David's. Time will be confirmed nearer the date.
GATES OPEN
TBC
first race
TBC
last race
TBC
Start Times |
Race |
Distance |
Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.10pm | THE MOLSON COORS MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (GBB RACE) (CL 4) (DIV 1) | 2m 1f 111y | Hurdle |
| 2.43pm | THE MOLSON COORS MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (DIV II) (GBB RACE) | 2m 2f 111y | Hurdle |
| 3.18pm | THE HAPPY RETIREMENT VICTOR AND GERALD DARTNALL NOVICES' HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 5) |
2m 1f 109y | Steeple Chase |
| 3.53pm | THE WEATHERBYS & BIRDIE CALENDARS HANDICAP HURDLE RACE(CLASS3) (CHALLENGER STAYERS' HURDLE SERIES QUALIFIER) | 2m 7f 25y | Hurdle |
| 4.28pm | THE PAUL FERGUSON'S JUMPERS TO FOLLOW BEST MATE HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 3m 54y | Steeple Chase |
| 5.03pm | THE EXPLORE SHARED OWNERSHIP AT inthepaddock.co.uk AMATEUR JOCKEYS' HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 5) | 2m 2f 111y | Hurdle |
| 5.33pm | THE SOUTH WEST '3 YRS OLD' 'JUNIOR' NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 5) (CATEGORY 1 ELIMINATION) (GBB RACE) | 1m 5f 38y | Flat |
BEST MATE
Best Mate Chase Day is devoted to celebrating the life of one of the true great horses in history. Trained by Henrietta Knight, Best Mate won his first race over fences here at Exeter Racecourse in October 2000. The following year he went on to win the pretigious Haldon Gold Cup under regular rider Jim Culloty.
While Best Mate graced Exeter on multiple occasions, his most iconic triumphs came with his unforgettable Cheltenham Gold Cup victories in 2002, 2003, and 2004, matching the record of Arkle. He also boasts wins in the 2002 King George VI Chase and the 2003 Ericsson Chase. Best Mate’s final race was run here at Exeter Racecourse, where a memorial now stands outside the weighing room, honoring his incredible legacy.
Past winners of the Best Mate Chase also include greats such as Sternrubin and Yanworth who both went on to appear at The Festival
Tickets
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