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Introduction:
Scotland’s only current Grade 1 racecourse is to be found at Ayr. Known affectionately as The Craigie, the current racecourse has operated under several management companies since its first race meeting in 1907.
Although it is believed horse racing was taking place at Ayr as early as the sixteenth century, the first recorded meeting was in 1777, and was held at the old racecourse site. This was to the south of the town, and for scholars of horse racing history, the previous venue can still be visited, although it is now referred to as The Old Racecourse Playing Fields.
In 1804, this older venue was used to introduce the Ayr Gold Cup into the British racing schedules. Incidentally, the first two runnings of the race were won by the famous horse, Chancellor, a back to back winning feat which has never been repeated in the whole subsequent history of the Ayr Gold Cup.
In 1824, gentlemen race goers formed the Western Club, and instituted the annual Western Meeting. The success of the meeting was soon obvious, as in 1838, Ayr staged the richest two year old race in the United Kingdom.
Early in the twentieth century, to accommodate burgeoning crowds, it was decided the site of the racecourse would have to move from its old cramped home. As stated above, The Craigie staged its first race meeting in 1907, and it can now look back on over one hundred years of exciting horse racing.
1950 saw the introduction of the steeplechase and hurdles courses. The success of these meetings meant when the Bogside racecourse at Irvine closed in 1966, Ayr became the natural relocation point for the Scottish Grand National.
To ensure adequate finance for future developments, in 2003, the racecourse was purchased from the Western Club. The successful Pacific Shelf consortium invested fourteen million pounds in the racecourse amenities.
Although Ayr racecourse is a totally solvent enterprise, and the Scottish Executive have granted outline planning permission for a massive £35 million future racecourse investment programme, to include, new grandstand facilities, paddock improvements, plus the construction of a casino and multiplex cinema, the down-turn in the general economy has persuaded the current management to offer the racecourse for ssale.
Regardless of its eventual ownership, today, the course stages high quality Flat and Jump racing, and is busy throughout each calendar year.
A comprehensive winter campaign of national hunt racing is capped on an April Saturday with the staging of The Scottish Grand National and The Scottish Champion Hurdle.
Once the flat season comes around, top quality racing continues with The Saints and Sinners Meeting in July, and in September, the richest sprint handicap in Europe - The Ayr Gold Cup - has become so popular, as of 2009, it has two consolation races - the Ayr Silver and Bronze Cups - to back up the main event.
Forthe best deals in anti post betting:
Track facts:
Ayr stages both flat and national hunt racing.
The main flat course is a left handed oval, measuring approximately 1 and a half miles in circumference. The course is generally level, but has a few minor undulations throughout its length. It is wide, and suits gallopers.
The finishing straight has an adjoining two furlong shoot to allow straight races of up to six furlongs. In large fields, on good going, the straight course has a statistical bias towards horses who are either drawn very high or very low.
The national hunt course is on the inside of the flat course, and is slightly shorter, and sharper. However, it is still wide and also suits gallopers.
The steeplechase course has nine fences, laid out in the following circuit pattern: two plain fences, an open ditch, four plain fences, another ditch, and then a plain fence. The last four fences are positioned in the long home straight prior to the winning post. The fourth last may be a plain fence, but it is tricky, as it is slightly downhill, and is only one hundred yards after the sharp turn into the home straight. After the last fence, there is a run in approaching a furlong in length.
The fences are generally fair, but the ditches are considered stiff, and In general, the track suits proven jumpers, who can front run, or lay close to the pace.
The hurdles course has six obstacles, with three in the back straight, and three in the home straight. Once again, the nature of the course suits gallopers who can also race prominently.
Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse.
Club Ticket.
These ticket holders have access to the prime facilities of the Princess Royal Grandstand. This includes excellent views of the racecourse and winning post. Ticket holders can also visit the parade ring, winners enclosure, and all the other public areas on the racecourse.
The Roman Warrior fine dining room is located on the second floor of the Stand. By booking in advance, diners can enjoy superb cuisine and spectacular views of the winning post and the paddock.
For Club ticket holders who want a less formal meal, the spacious Chancellor Carvery can be found on the first floor of the above stand. Also on the first floor, the Princess Royal Suite provides a quick bite and bar facility. In addition, there are a further 2 bars supplying fine wines and spirits.
Also in the Grandstand, the champagne and sea food bar is ideally situated to overlook the paddock areas.
Grandstand Ticket.
From their seats in the grandstand, these ticket holders can see all the racing action, including proceedings in the parade ring and winners enclosure.
Food and drink are available in the new 4.5 million pound Grandstand Bar, plus there is also access to the Cree Lodge and Jock’s bar. There are also many other outlets selling all kinds of hot and cold food and drink.
For ladies day or that special occasion:
Disabled facilities:
The course management team have introduced facilities which provide disabled access to most parts of the racecourse.
Lift facilities in the main building enable access to all the hospitality floors including the restaurants. There is also access to a viewing area.
In addition to access ramps in strategic areas of the course, a special viewing platform is available for race goers who use a wheelchair.
Finally, specialist toilet facilities are to be found in all enclosures.
Fixtures:
Wednesday 26 August 2009.
Thursday 27 August 2009.
Thursday 17 September 2009.
Friday 18 September 2009.
Saturday 19 September 2009.
Thursday 01 October 2009.
Friday 23 October 2009.
Saturday 31 October 2009.
Wednesday 2 December 2009.
Monday 14 December 2009.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
The town, and racecourse, are located on the west coast of Scotland, just before the seaward entrance of the Firth of Clyde. Ayrs combined role as a tourist centre and racing venue has helped the development of good transport links.
By Road:
From Glasgow, take the M8, followed by the A77 directly to Ayr.
Coming from the South, use the A74, then A70, pick up the A713, and join the A77, then continue towards Ayr on the dual carriage way. The racecourse is clearly signposted from this road, and is about a mile from the indicated turn off.
Car parking at the course is free of charge.
Logbook Loans: If you own your own car, you can obtain an un-secured loan for personal or business use. For full details, click below.
By Rail:
There are direct services from Glasgow Central station to Ayr, with the journey taking around 53 minutes. Ayr station is only about 1 mile from the course, and there is a connecting bus service. If disembarking at the previous station, Newton on Ayr, it is only a 15 minute walk to the racecourse.
By Bus:
Stagecoach run a frequent coach service between Glasgow Buchanan Street and Ayr. To contact Stagecoach, ring 0141 552 4961.
Scottish City link Coaches also have daily services.
Contact Tel No: 08705 50 50 50.
For full information on all national coach connections click the link below.
By Air:
Glasgow airport is only 45 minutes road travel from Ayr. While Glasgow Prestwick airport is only three miles from the racecourse.
Helicopters can also land on the course, subject to prior permission.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address: Ayr Racecourse, 2 Whitletts Road, Ayr, KA8 0JE.
Tel No: 01292 26 41 79.
Fax No: 01292 61 01 40.
For the ultimate selection of Phones + tarrifs:
ACCOMMODATION.
Express by Holiday Inn Ayr.
UK tel no: 01292 272 300.
From Eire tel no: 00 44 1292 272 300.
Located just a few minutes drive from Ayr Racecourse, the Express by Holiday Inn Ayr is a very well appointed 3 star hotel, and an ideal base for race-goers wishing to secure comfortable overnight accommodation in close proximity to Ayr Racecourse. The hotel offers a secure car park for up to 129 vehicles, is ideally located for visitors using Glasgow Prestwick Airport, (3.5 miles), and is a short drive from Ayr town centre and the Robert Burns Heritage Park. For race-goers with an interest in golf, the hotel is a short trip from the home of the 2009 Open Golf Championship at Turnberry, and some of the World's best links golf courses.
The hotel offers 84 stylish and well appointed guest rooms. All offer en suite facilities with power showers, remote controlled colour television with satellite, pay movies, Wi-Fi internet access, tea & coffee making facilities & hairdryer. The hotel also has 6 accessible rooms for guests with low mobility requirements. Laundry/ dry cleaning service is available on request. Photocopying/ fax services available and there is a vending machine for drinks and snacks.
The hotel's Great Room serves a continental style buffet style breakfast and evening meal. There is a relaxed and informal bar to enjoy a chat with old and new friends.
For full details on the Express by Holiday Inn Ayr, or to book directly, use the link below.
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