MUSSELBURGH RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
The racecourse at Musselburgh is often described as Edinburgh racecourse, but the original Edinburgh races actually took place on the coastal sands at Leith.
Once Lord Rosebery became involved with racing in Edinburgh, he concentrated all racing activity at the meadows at Musselburgh, and by 1816, the current site at Linkfield had already established itself as a centre for horseracing in Scotland.
With its close proximity to the transport hub at the centreof Scotland's capitol city, the course has become a favourite with the race goers of Scotland and northern England.
As a result of local corporation involvement, Musselburgh is run on a non profit basis, with all proceeds being re invested in the course facilities. Over the last 20 years, this has manifested itself in multi million pound refurbishments, and in December 2006, the course was awarded five star Visitor Attraction Status, an award it has maintained ever since.
The current racing programme includes twenty six meetings of flat and national hunt racing in each calendar year. Highlights include the John Smiths Hurdle Race day in February, and the Scottish Sprint Cup meeting, held in June of each year.
Track facts:
Musselburgh stages both flat and national hunt racing.
The flat course is run right handed over a compact oval measuring one mile two furlongs in circumference, with a home straight measuring four furlongs.
In races up to a mile in duration, high drawn horses have a statistical advantage.
The national hunt courses are built on the flat course during the winter months. So this means the chase and hurdles courses are also around a mile and a quarter in circumference. The two courses are both run right handed, and are generally flat with tight bends, and a run in of around one hundred and fifty yards from the last obstacle in the long home straight.
The steeplechase course has eight fences. Due to their removable qualities, the fences are fairly small, but still provide good practise for novices. There are four fences in both the home and back straights, and they are laid out in the following circuit pattern: a plain fence, the first open ditch, four plain fences, the second open ditch, and a final plain fence.
The hurdles course has six flights, with three on both the home and back straights. These removable hurdles are normally made up of six units, but they can be widened for larger fields of runners.
Although the national hunt courses have sharp bends, they also have long back and home straights, so gallopers are not inconvenienced by the shape of the course.
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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.
Grandstand Ticket.
There is communal ticket entrance to both grandstands, plus access to the parade ring and winners enclosure. The grandstands provide close up views of the winning post and home straight.
However, there are considerable choices to be made from the enclosures various food and drink options, and on the ground floor of the grandstands, facilities include:
The Old Weighing Room Bistro Serves carvery food and freshly prepared dishes, and is very popular, so advance booking is strongly advised. Also, the popularity of the Old Weighing Room Bar, means access has to be controlled so as to prevent overcrowding.
The Pinkie Bar serves drinks and snacks, including a dish of the day.
The Rosebery Hall Café serves tea, coffee, and snacks.
The Rockavon Bar is located next to the betting shop.
When considering the first floor of the grandstands, the choice of facilities is equally abundant, as follows:
The Epperston Suite houses the premier restaurant on the racecourse. Diners have access to there table for the full duration of each days racing. They enjoy wonderful food and full table service, while simultaneously observing all the racing action. Due to the popularity of this restaurant, advance booking is essential.
La Garson Dor Bar and Carvery, was recently refurbished to the highest standards, and offers great views of the parade ring.
Dizzys Bar is a modern facility which provides views of the racecourse.
Freddies Bar is a popular bar overlooking the race track.
The newly opened Pommery Champagne Bar serves a selection of champagnes and champagne based cocktails.
Picnic Area Ticket.
At the larger meetings, this enclosure provides car seat viewing of the racing action.
Bar, food and toilet facilities are available in the picnic enclosure.
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Disabled facilities:
By attending in person, and displaying their special parking permits, disabled race goers can use the designated disabled car parking spaces, which are located near to entrance gates.
Viewing ramps are located in the enclosures of both Grandstands. In addition, lifts also supply access to the upper floors of both buildings.
Specialist toilet facilities are located in the Pinkie Bar, the Old Weighing Room Bistro, and the Queens Grandstand.
Fixtures:
2011:
Saturday 23 April
Tuesday 19 July
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Transport Links:
By Road:
Musselburgh racecourse is located around seven miles East of Edinburgh city centre, just off the Tranent junction of the A1 and the Edinburgh city by pass.
Race goers from the North of Scotland should join up with the Edinburgh city by pass, and then follow the signs to Musselburgh and the racecourse. Traffic from the West of Scotland is advised to use the M8, and then the afore mentioned by pass. From the South, the best route is the A1 and the A198, but borders traffic may prefer to use the A7, A68, or the A702.
There is ample free car parking next to the racecourse.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is at Wallyford, on the Edinburgh Waverley to North Berwick line.
Wallyford railway station is just over a mile from the racecourse. A shuttle bus service operates before and after racing. For full details on operating times of the courtesy buses, please contact the racecourse office.
By Bus:
There are four relevant local bus services which operate out of Edinburgh Princes Street. The 15 and 15 a, both stop outside the course. However, on the 26 and 44 services, it is necessary to alight in Musselburgh high street.
For full timetable details, contact Lothian Buses, or First Group.
By Air:
Edinburgh airport is on the north side of the city, and about twelve miles from Musselburgh racecourse. The airport has good access to the city by pass, and the racecourse is well signposted. Subject to traffic conditions, journey time is around half an hour.
Contact Details:
Address:
Musselburgh Racecourse,
Linkfield Road,
Musselburgh,
East Lothian,
EH21 7RG.
Telephone Number: 0131 665 28 59.
Fax Number: 0131 653 20 83.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
Macdonald Holyrood Hotel Edinburgh.
UK Tel No: 0131 550 45 00.
From Eire Tel No: 00 44 (0)131 550 45 00.
Throughout the whole racing calendar, The Macdonald Holyrood Hotel offers discerning Musselburgh bound race-goers with the perfect base to enjoy a leisurely overnight stay or mini break in one of the finest city centre hotels in Scotland.
Located in the ‘old town’ area of Edinburgh, and close to most of the city’s historic, cultural, recreational, and retail facilities, the hotel is just 15 minutes drive from Musselburgh racecourse, and for those prefering to travel by rail or air, the hotel is just half a mile from Edinburgh’s Waverley railway station, and only 8 miles from Edinburgh Airport.
The Macdonald Holyrood Hotel offers superbly appointed accommodation, and during your stay, you can be sure of exemplary and friendly service from our experienced and dedicated staff. The hotel offers 156 spacious and well appointed en suite guest rooms. All have air conditioning, comfortable beds, cable television, wi-fi internet access, mini bar upon request, and the standard room amenities of a superior city hotel. While guests seeking extra space and luxury during their stay can select a room or suite on our Club Floor, some rooms providing views of the world famous Crags and Arthurs’s Seat. All guests staying on this Club Floor have access to the Club Lounge and Library. Every morning guests can enjoy continental breakfast in the library’s dining area, and in the evenings, a drinks reception is on offer in the Club Lounge.
Macdonald Hotels take great pride in their cuisine and the Holyrood Hotel is a shining example. The stylish and comfortable Steak and Grill Restaurant is renowned for its scottish style culinary delights, with all meals being created from only the freshest locally sourced meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and herbs. While the Piano Lounge is a relaxing area where guests can chat with old and new friends while enjoying a fine selection of scottish style meals and snacks. As you would expect, the hotel also provides a comprehensive 24 hour room service menu.
Residents can also use the facilities of the Vital Health and Fitness Centre, including; a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and fully equipped techno gym. While guests seeking a pamper can consult and book a range of treatments with the hotel’s professional beauty therapists.
To obtain full details on the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel, or to ensure your quality accommodation ahead of your next trip to Musselburgh Races, please click on the link below:
Best Western Kings Manor Hotel Edinburgh.
UK Tel: 0131 669 0444.
From Eire Tel No: 00 44 131 669 0444.
Located in the eastern suburbs of the historic City of Edinburgh, the BEST WESTERN Kings Manor Hotel could not be better situated to provide Musselburgh bound race-goers with the perfect haven for either an overnight stay, or an extended sporting or recreational break in Scotland’s capital city.
The hotel’s car park sits 500 metres back from the main route of the A1 South, and Musselburgh racecourse is a little over a mile away. Edinburgh city centre, its two main-line railway stations, and Edinburgh airport, are all just a taxi ride away. It is also a short walk from the hotel to Portobello Beach and the nearby historic golf course of Musselburgh Links ( within the racecourse grounds) – regarded as the oldest golf course in the world.
As a family run hotel,the BEST WESTERN Kings Manor Hotel is renowned for its wonderful hospitality and superb service, and the hotel’s staff are always prepared to go the extra yard for the hotel’s guests, and by pre-arrangement, the hotel will even arrange transport to and from Musselburgh Races.
The hotel has 95 tastefully furnished en suite guest rooms, all offering the standard room amenities expected by discerning guests from a quality hotel, and for those guests who are seeking some additional luxury during their stay, the hotel’s 4 star Club rooms offer; king size beds, large flat screen televisions with freeview and satellite channels, play station\CD\DVD facilities, wi-fi internet access, and a range of other in-room luxury amenities. The hotel can also offer family facilities, including inter-connecting rooms, and with a comprehensive range of ground level rooms, and one especially adapted room, the hotel also welcomes disabled visitors.
Bar Zest has been recently refurbished to provide a comfortable and atmospheric meeting place, where guests can enjoy a lite-bite with a comprehensive range of liquid refreshments. Options Bistro offers a wide range of meals from the traditional to the more unusual. While Lauders Restaurant is renowned for its fine a la carte and table d’hote menus, and all of the fine cuisine prepared at Lauders can be enjoyed with a wide selection of quality wines from all over the world.
For guests who are as passionate about golf as they are about horseracing, apart from Musselburgh Links, the hotel is within easy reach of the world famous Gullane and Muirfield golf courses. While for those wishing to keep fit during their stay, the BEST WESTERN Kings Manor also offers superb health and fitness amenities. The Fountains Spa Leisure Club incorporates a 20 metre swimming pool, tennis court, gym and fitness suites, and for guests seeking a real pamper during their stay, it is possible to book a range of therapies in the Balcony Health and Beauty Centre.
To find out more about the BEST WESTERN Kings Manor Hotel, or to ensure quality accommodation ahead of your next trip to Musselburgh Races, please click on the link below:
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