Gentle giants take to Exeter Racecourse

Jockey James Best partnered Midge to win the Clydesdale race at Exeter Racecourse on Sunday (22 November).

Packed house

Ian Popham, Andrew Thornton, Nick Scholfield, James Best, Hadden Frost and Sam Twiston-Davies took part in the event, which raised £2,400 Devon Air Ambulance.

Before the two furlong race, the horses and jockeys paraded for half an hour in the paddock in front of a packed house.

It looked like five-year-old Frankie Doodle, who was competing in his first race, would be first over the line, but Midge came through to win in the closing strides under a driving ride from Cornishman James Best.

‘Great fun’

“It was brilliant and all for such a good cause,” said James, who later won the feature race of the day riding St Dominick for Jackie Du Plessis. “It’s great fun riding them.”

When they’re not racing, the Clydesdales take tourists trekking.

”All the horses were fantastic and they really enjoyed themselves,” said Aileen Ware of Adventure Clydesdales. “It makes a change from their usual job carrying riders across Dartmoor.”