Olympic stars & Games Makers at Exeter Racecourse’s curtain raiser

Exeter Racecourse is looking forward to welcoming West Country Olympians, Paralympians and Games Makers who will be at its first meeting of the new season on Thursday 11 October - the specially titled South West Athletes Celebration Day. Attending will be three-day eventing legend Mary King who represented her country for the sixth consecutive time at London 2012. With her horse Imperial Cavalier she helped Team GB secure team Silver. King said: “It’s a great honour to have a race named after me and it’s definitely a first. The racecourse is such an iconic part of the Devonshire landscape, and one that many visitors to the county know. To be associated with it is incredible and I’m very much looking forward to my day at the races.” Others confirmed include Paralypian Deb Criddle, who won individual grade III silver, team gold and individual freestyle silver with LJT Akilles, Exeter’s blind footballer Keryn Seal, who was part of the five-a-side football squad, Gorgs Giekie from Okehampton who competed in the 10m air pistol and 25m sport pistol event, Plymouth’s 100m butterfly swimmer Anthony James and skeet team member Rory Warlow, also from Plymouth, with more expected to confirm nearer the day. Games Makers from Devon and Cornwall will be given free entry on the day. Welcoming the news, Games Maker Sarah Yeoman, who was at Greenwich Park, said: “It’s fantastic that Exeter is doing this. We’re all incredibly proud to have been Games Makers and coming racing together is another opportunity to relive those moments.” Racaegoers will also be treated to a dressage display by former jockey Ed Chanin who is a squad member of the World Class para equestrian development programme. Ed is also one of two riders on the Paralympic Inspiration Programme which allows Paralympians to understand the unique environment of a Paralympic Games, so that they can prepare themselves for the experience that they may face at Rio, 2016. Joining Ed in the paddock will be another former jockey Sarah Gaisford who was paralysed in a fall at Exeter in 2008. Sarah now plays tennis and has her sights set on Rio too. “Playing sport has turned my life around following my accident. It has given me so much focus and to be able to share this at Exeter, and tell people how sport can change their lives is fantastic,” she said. Exeter’s General Manager Tim Darby said: “The achievements of our athletes at London 2012 were incredible. They made the nation so proud and there efforts will be forged in our memories for many years to come. We are delighted to stage this day for them and to have them at Exeter is wonderful. “We are also delighted to welcome all Devon and Cornwall-based Games Makers who helped make the summer so incredible and memorable.” Tickets for the meetings start at £13 if booked in advance and children aged 17 and under attend free. A free bus service is available to and from the course from Exeter. Games Makes planning to attend should wear their uniforms or bring their ID cards to gain free entry. The first of six races is off at 2.20pm.