Exeter Racecourse has announced that from 2010, totesport will be the sponsor of the track’s flagship Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup held in November in a new five year deal. In addition the Tote will take over the management of the on-course betting shop situated in the Martin Pipe Bar.

Jason Brautigam, director of business for totepool, said: “The Tote is delighted to be able to cement our partnership with Exeter Racecourse by securing sponsorship of the Haldon Gold Cup, as well as taking over the betting shop operation on-course.  Exeter has been very proactive in driving Tote turnover and we are confident that there are further opportunities for growth over the five year term of the deal.

He added: “The Tote is always keen to support the major events at grass roots level and the Haldon Gold Cup, as a significant early season two mile contest, fits our portfolio perfectly.  We look forward to welcoming racegoers to the new totesport betting shop for the first time at Exeter’s New Year’s Day meeting, which is ideally located in the bar named after one of Exeter’s legendary supporters, Martin Pipe.”

totesport Haldon Gold Cup day is the premier meeting of the season at Exeter and the race itself is part of the BHA Order of Merit. It is widely regarded as the first real test of the autumn for National Hunt horses over an extended two miles one furlong and in the past has attracted some of the best horses in the country including Desert Orchid, Kauto Star, Best Mate, Edredon Bleu, Viking Flagship and this year’s subsequent Tingle Creek winner Twist Magic.

Exeter’s managing director Steven Clarke said: “We are very pleased to welcome totesport as the sponsor of our premier race and as operators of our on-course betting shop.  I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking William Hill, and David Hood in particular, for the support they have given Exeter Racecourse since 1996 and for their sponsorship of the Haldon Gold Cup.”