A world first and Tom Parker reigns supreme

A crowd of more than 3,000 turned out at Exeter Racecourse yesterday to watch ponies from Dartmoor and Clydesdale horses stretch their limbs in their two furlong races before seven jump races gave racegoers an afternoon to remember.

Six hill ponies went to post and it was a tiny pure bred registered Dartmoor who crossed the line in front with his owner Rachael Watson on board.

“My plan was to stay close to Frolic in the race and keep something in the tank for the finish,” said 20-year-old Rachael who farms with her parents near Poundsgate.

The ponies are part of the Hill Pony Display Team which showcases at events and and fairs what wonderful children’s ponies they make.

Charlotte Faulker of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association said: “This is the first time we’ve done this and they were brilliant. I am so proud of them all, and their riders who were all very excited about taking part in a race at Exeter racecourse.”

Keiron Edgar was on board Tom Parker who took the Clydesdale race for the second year running. “That was really good fun,” said the beaming conditional who is based at David Pipe’s Somerset yard. “We were slowly away but he got into his stride and he won easily in the end.”

Other jockeys who took part in the race were Nick Scholfield, Aidan Coleman, Daryl Jacob, James Best, Alice Mills and Lucy Gardner.

Television actor Martin Clunes, who presented the jockeys with a bottle of champagne following the race, said it was an incredibly exciting race and he was pleased to add his support. “More racecourses should do this as it is great fun and really highlights the breed,” he said.

Tim Ancrum, owner of the Clydesdales whose other job is carrying riders across Dartmoor through his business Adventure Clydesdales, added: “it’s just wonderful to bring the boys here and let everyone see them. They are so versatile, steady and they keep on going.

There was a wonderful crowd here to see them today and the cheering was incredible.”

Bookmakers Jack Bevan and Dave Phillips took bets on both races and more than £1,500 was raised for the Devon Air Ambulance.

Photo credit: Malcolm Snelgrove, www.malcolmsnelgrove.com