Watch gentle giants gallop to glory in charity race
Thoroughbreds stepped out of the limelight at Exeter on Sunday (20 November) to make way for an alternative breed of racehorse.
The track’s annual Clydesdale race on Devon Day raised £3,000 for Devon Air Ambulance with last year’s winner, Midge, once again victorious.
This year the gelding was ridden by jockey Noel Fehily, who gave a salutary wave as he crossed the finish.
“It’s a great cause, a good bit of fun and it’s great for the people that brought their horses here – well done to them,” Noel said.
Professional jockeys Aiden Coleman, Daryl Jacob, Sean Bowen, Tom Bellamy and James Best also raced aboard Clydesdales Solo, Siryl Allan, Frankie Doodle and Tom Parker.
The Clydesdale horses are owned by Tim Ancrum and Aileen Ware of Adventure Clydesdales, a trekking centre based at Brimpts on Dartmoor.
“It’s a wonderful day and a fantastic opportunity to show off these wonderful animals who love their opportunity to demonstrate their agility and speed,” Tim said.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“They are fantastic animals to ride and make wonderful conveyances across the moor.”
Related articles:
- Clydesdales train on Dartmoor ahead of Exeter ‘phenomenon’
- The Budweiser Clydesdales have a snowball fight
- Feathers will fly as Shires and Clydesdales race head-to-head
The racecourse’s general manager Dan Thompson thanked Mr Ancrum for his support.
“We’re so grateful to Tim and Aileen for bringing their horses, to the jockeys for riding them and to everyone who placed a bet, every penny of which was donated to the Devon Air Ambulance,” he said.
“Devon Day is growing every year and it’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that is so good about our lovely county.”
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.