[1] On 1 November 2005 racehorse Best Mate died at the course of a suspected heart attack whilst competing in the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup.

In 1823, the course, which had been situated on common ground until the Enclosure Act, came into the ownership of Sir Lawrence Park (later Lord Haldon).

In June 1904, in 'Devonia', the official publication of the United Devon Association, Cecil Clapp commented that, "While the county does not boast any large racemeeting, there is much genuine sport obtained in steeplechasing at Torquay, Newton, Totnes, Exeter (Haldon), Tiverton, South Molton, Plymouth, Devonport and other smaller towns."

[1] In October 1972 there was an application to stage motor racing at the course, but it was turned down by Devon County Council.

Hennis was wounded in the exchange, and died the following week; Jeffcott fled to Sierra Leone.

The new stand was made of steel but with an iron roof, and held a bar, a weigh-room and other facilities as well as storage space.

Upstairs in the Haldon stand, there is a gallery with seating to watch the races, and a bar named after Best Mate, as well as the Desert Orchid restaurant.

[4] The course has historically had a Gold Cup race, which was won in 1807 by Lord Charles Somerset's horse, Bagatelle, sire of Sir Peter Teazle.

In 2005 the three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Best Mate, collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack after its jockey pulled up during the race.