Clydesdales to hit the racetrack at Exeter

We saw feathers flying when Lingfield hosted its inaugural Shire horse race this summer. Now another breed is following in their heavy hoofprints.

Clydesdales will be tearing up the turf at Exeter next month (24 November) for the racecourse’s first Devon Day.

Tim Ancrum of Adventure Clydesdales is training the racers — who include Tommy Trotter, Ha Durran Ben, Allen and Cyril.

Among National Hunt jockeys who hope to take up the reins on the day will be Joe Tizzard and H&H blogger Nick Scholfield.

“The breed is mostly known as a draught horse, so we want to show they make good riding horses too,” Tim told H&H. “We’re not saying they should race the whole time, but 2 furlongs is well within their capabilities.

“They’re pretty fit already, but we’ll be doing a bit more faster work over Dartmoor as the race approaches.”

For more information visit www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (10 October 2013)

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