First flat horserace meeting of the season at Ayr Racecourse

By: Iain Ferguson

AYR Racecourse holds its first flat meeting of the year on Wednesday 21 May with a seven-race card coming under starter’s orders at 2.00pm.


The first race is the European Breeders’ Fund Maiden Stakes for two year-olds over six furlongs, and it is expected that the big hitting stables of Mark Johnston and Mick Channon will both have runners in this one.

Feature race is the DM Hall Handicap over five furlongs with £10,500 in prize money, including £6,799 to the winner, and this is sure to attract some decent handicappers from the north’s top yards.

Last race on the card is the marathon Dawn Construction Handicap Stakes run over one mile seven furlongs at 5.30pm.

Special discounts are available on tickets booked seven or more days in advance. For more information go online at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk or call 0870-8505666.

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Ayr Racecourse all set for the Scottish Grand National Festival

By: Iain Ferguson

SCOTLAND’S premier jumps meeting, the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival takes place at Ayr racecourse on Friday 18 April and Saturday 19 April, with 15 races over the two days.


Prize money for the meeting is at an all-time high of £563,000 and on Saturday there are two races counting for the BHA Order of Merit Series - the Coral Scottish Grand National which carries a prize fund of £200,000 and the £100,000 Samsung Electronics Scottish Champion Hurdle.


[Pictured: Hot Weld, winner of the Scottish Grand National 2007.]

Other major races over the two days include on Friday 18 April the £30,000 Coral Supporting Poppyscotland Mares Only Handicap Hurdle over two miles and the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase, also with £30,000 in prize money, over two miles four furlongs.

On Coral Scottish Grand National Day, the Ashleybank Investments Future Champion Novices’ Chase over two miles four furlongs has £50,000 on offer, while the Albert Bartlett & Sons Handicap Chase over two miles has £30,000 in prize money.

There are many other attractions over the two days, including a live appearance after racing on Friday by Irish folk rock band The Saw Doctors. Always popular with the racing fraternity, this five-piece band will play in the new £4.5 million Grandstand Bar which will open for the first time that day.

While The Saw Doctors are playing in the Grandstand Bar, the Horseshoe Bar will have a disco blasting out the latest sounds. And on both days the party mood will be obvious as soon as the doors open and the samba sounds of Beats of Brazil will be heard in the paddock area.

On Saturday, the Criterion Jazz Band will also be playing during the afternoon, and on both days racegoers will arrive to the sounds of traditional Scottish music played by pipers. And after racing on Saturday, Reload will play in the Horseshoe Bar.

Another splendid new facility opening on Friday 18 April is the Owners Bar situated on the ground floor of the Princess Royal Stand. This luxurious Bar will not only cater for owners and trainers but also Owners Bar members who pay a special premium rate to join. In addition to bar and restaurant facilities there is also an exclusive betting shop.

To book, log on to www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk or by telephone 0870-8505666.

Ayr Racecourse and the associated Western House Hotel are members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.

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Ayr Racecourse adopts Irish theme for its March jumps meeting

By: Iain Ferguson

AYR Racecourse holds its two-day March meeting on Friday 7 March and Saturday 8 March with seven races on each day.


[Picture shows Dalwan, ridden by Kevin Tobin winning the Racing Post “Hands And Heels” Jump Series Handicap Hurdle at Ayr on 21 February.]

La Barrique Fine Wines sponsor the Friday card with the feature race the J20 Handicap Chase, a Class 3 event over three miles one furlong at 3.00pm. This should attract a decent entry with a first prize of almost £6000.

The Sunnycliff Wines Handicap Hurdle over two miles five and a half furlongs at 4.45pm is run for the James Barclay Challenge Trophy and a member of the Barclay family who have long standing connections with Ayr Racecourse will be on hand to present the trophy.

First race, The Bacardi Rum Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle is off at 2.00pm with the final race, The Maclachlans Hunters Chase over two miles five furlongs at 5.20pm.

On Saturday its Allied Irish (GB) Raceday with the main race The Allied Irish (GB) Corporate Banking Handicap Chase over two miles at 3.55pm. This race carries £10,000 in prize money and is likely to be a competitive affair.

Another good contest will be The Allied Irish Bank (GB) Wealth Management Handicap Hurdle for the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cup. This two mile four furlong Class three contest over two miles four furlongs should see some decent hurdlers battle for the £4500 first prize.

Throughout the course on the day the bars will be Irish themed with bar staff wearing some form of Irish costume. Corporate Hospitality areas will also be Irish themed as will public food areas and restaurants.

An Irish band will be playing during the day, and there will be music from Irish bands - Saw Doctors, Pogues etc played on the PA before racing.

During the afternoon leading Irish trainers and jockeys will be interviewed about their prospercts at Cheltenham which is held the following week. And there will be a live band playing for three hours after the last race which is at 5.35pm.

Advance bookings can be made online at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk or by calling 0870-8505666. Bars and restaurants open at 12 noon on Friday and at 12.15 on Saturday.

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Excellent prize money on offer at
Ayr Racecourse’s February meeting

By: Murdoch MacDonald

AYR Racecourse's next meeting takes place on Saturday 9 February with the seven race card offering a healthy £51,000 in prize money.


The Valentine's Raceday will be the first of two held in February (there is also a meeting on 21 February) and there is some great racing in prospect.

Feature race is the Book Now For The Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase at 4.25pm with £16,500 in prize money and a first prize of £10,333.

This Class 2 event is run over three miles one furlong and is sure to attract some top chasers.

First race is at 1.45pm, The Dawn Developments Handicap Hurdle over two miles, and the last race, the Princess Royal Suite For Parties Handicap Chase is due off at 4.55pm.

Advance bookings can be made online at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk or by calling 0870-8505666. Discounts are available on bookings made seven or more days in advance.