Exeter racecourse at Haldon, one of the oldest in the land,  often features top horses and is renowned as a course where future champions begin their illustrious careers and where established stars return.  The great Desert Orchid won his first chase at Exeter in 1985, triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate, who won there three times.  The mighty Denman, winner of the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup, also got his career off to a winning start at Exeter whilst his stablemate, the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star, ran two of his first three UK races at Exeter after coming over from France as a novice.

Newton Abbot racecourse is another steeple-chase course conveniently set this side of Newton Abbot. It operates from March through the summer months and is a great day out.