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Ayr Racecourse
Ayr Racecourse is a horse-racing track in Ayr, Scotland, United Kingdom. It opened in 1907, at Whitletts Rd.
History of Ayr Racecourse
1576 — Horse racing in Ayr can be traced to this year.
1771 — The first properly organized race meeting in Ayr was held over two days.
1804 — The first Ayr Gold Cup was run.
1824 — The Western Meeting Club was formed, and the Western Meeting—now associated with the Ayr Gold Cup Festival—was established.
1838 — The Western Meeting offered £2,000 in prize money. Its race for two-year-olds was the most valuable race of the British season.
1855 — The Ayr Gold Cup became a handicap.
1888 — The Duke of Portland’s champion colt Ayrshire, named to commemorate his owner’s Scottish connections, won the Guineas and the Derby.
1889 — Ayrshire won the Eclipse Stakes.
1907 — Ayr Racecourse moved from Seafield to its present site in the Craigie area. The former course was a one-mile oval with sharp bends and insufficient space to enlarge the paddock. The new racecourse occupied 150 acres from R.A. Oswald’s Auchincruive Estate and J.A. Campbell’s Craigie Estate.
1950 — Ayr’s jumps course was established, allowing the racecourse to stage racing throughout the year.
1965 — Bogside Racecourse in Irvine closed.
1966 — The Scottish Grand National transferred from Bogside to Ayr.
Late 1990s — Ayr Racecourse required substantial investment, leading to the search for a new owner.
2002 — A bidding process for the racecourse had been established by the end of the year and attracted more than 41 offers.
2003 — Ayrshire businessmen Richard Johnstone and Alan Macdonald were announced as the successful bidders in May.
2005 — South Ayrshire Council approved a £35 million racecourse master plan in February. The Scottish Executive later called in the proposal, and a public inquiry was held during November and December. Western House, formerly the headquarters and meeting place of the Western Meeting Club, was converted into a four-star hotel at a cost of more than £4 million.
2006 — The Scottish Executive granted outline planning permission for the master plan in May. By November, improvements to the Princess Royal Stand included two new bars, the Roman Warrior and Chancellor restaurants, and improved hospitality boxes. Construction of a new £100,000 paddock also began in November.
2007 — The new paddock was first used in February. The project moved the Parade Ring closer to the course, enlarged the Winners’ Enclosure and expanded the Champagne Gardens beside the paddock. Western House was named Scottish Wedding Hotel of the Year.
2008 — The £4.5 million Ayrshire Suite opened in April as part of the Princess Royal Exhibition, Banqueting and Conference Centre. Western House was named Scottish Wedding Hotel of the Year for a second consecutive year.
2011 — The Ayr Gold Cup carried prize money of £150,000.
2023 — Ayr Racecourse was named Sports Venue of the Year at the Scottish Hospitality Awards. It also retained VisitScotland’s Five Star Visitor Attraction rating and received Racecourse Association Excellence Accolades for “Lovely Loos” and “Spotless & Sparkling.” Western House was named Scotland’s Best Wedding Venue at the Prestige Hotel Awards and Most Romantic Hotel of the Year at the Scottish Hospitality Awards.
2026 — Western House was named Scotland’s Best Wedding Venue for the second time and Scotland’s Best Afternoon Tea at the Prestige Hotel Awards.
Track Details
- The Flat course has a turf racing surface supported by sandy soil.
- It is a left-handed oval measuring approximately 1½ miles, or 12 furlongs.
- The Flat course includes two chutes.
- The straight chute creates a six-furlong straight course used for races over five and six furlongs.
- The backstretch chute contains the starting positions for races over 10 furlongs and 1 mile 2 furlongs 192 yards.
- The run from the final turn to the winning post measures approximately four furlongs.
- The turn approaching the home straight is slightly downhill.
- The straight course is particularly wide and accommodates fields of up to 25 horses for the six-furlong Ayr Gold Cup.
- The official Flat course map marks starting positions for:
- 5 furlongs.
- 6 furlongs.
- 7 furlongs.
- 1 mile.
- 9 furlongs.
- 10 furlongs.
- 1 mile 2 furlongs 192 yards.
- 1 mile 5 furlongs 13 yards.
- 1 mile 7 furlongs.
- 2 miles 1 furlong 105 yards.
- 2 miles 4 furlongs 90 yards.
- The winning post is located on the home straight and is shared with the hurdle and steeplechase layouts
National Hunt Course
- The National Hunt course has a turf racing surface supported by sandy soil.
- It is a left-handed circuit measuring approximately 1½ miles, or 12 furlongs.
- Ayr uses separate hurdle and steeplechase layouts.
- Both layouts descend steadily toward the home turn before rising gently toward the winning post.
- Both layouts have a run-in of approximately 210 yards from the final obstacle to the winning post.
- The hurdle and steeplechase layouts finish at the same winning post as the Flat course.
- Hurdle Course:
- The hurdle layout contains six flights.
- The official hurdle-course map marks starting positions for 2 miles 4 furlongs, 2 miles 6 furlongs, 3 miles 110 yards and 3 miles 2 furlongs 110 yards.
- Steeplechase Course:
- The steeplechase layout contains nine fences.
- The official steeplechase map marks starting positions for:
- 2 miles.
- 2 miles 4 furlongs.
- 2 miles 5 furlongs 110 yards.
- 3 miles 3 furlongs 110 yards.
- 3 miles 5 furlongs.
- 4 miles 1 furlong.
Other Facilities
Stables and Racing Staff Facilities
- Stables and bedding: Ayr Racecourse has 172 stables, with paper or shavings bedding allocated on arrival.
- Stable-yard entrance, facilities and exercise: The entrance is on Craigie Road, approximately 80 yards beyond the traffic lights, using sat-nav postcode KA8 0HA. Morning exercise is scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. The yard has showers and toilets for box drivers and visiting stable staff, while a racing grooms’ canteen and adjoining day room behind the Pre-Parade Ring provide tea, coffee and light snacks on racedays.
- Overnight stabling and horsebox access: Applications for overnight stabling and accommodation must be returned by 1:00 p.m. on the day before racing. Horses are unloaded through the Craigie Road entrance before horseboxes proceed to the parking area through Gate A. Additional parking is available during the Scottish Grand National and Ayr Gold Cup meetings.
- Staff accommodation and meals: Ayr aims to accommodate racing grooms at Western House Hotel. Alternative nearby accommodation and complimentary transportation may be arranged during busier meetings. Eligible overnight staff receive an evening meal between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., or a packed meal for approved late arrivals. Raceday meals are normally served in the hotel restaurant.
Princess Royal Stand and Events Centre
- Ground and first floors: The ground floor contains the Ayrshire Suite, Owners Club, Colours Café, bars and betting facilities. The first-floor Princess Royal Suite provides racecourse viewing with additional bars and betting facilities.
- Upper floors and access: The second and third floors contain hospitality rooms, event spaces and private boxes. Public access to each floor depends on the enclosure arrangement used for the meeting.
- Suites and capacities: The Events Centre contains 11 suites across four floors. The Ayrshire Suite accommodates up to 1,000 people theater-style or 800 for a banquet. The Princess Royal Suite accommodates up to 600 theater-style or 500 for a banquet.
- Belmont King and Red Rum rooms: The third-floor Belmont King room can operate independently or combine with the adjoining Red Rum room to accommodate up to 110 people theater-style.
- Princess Royal private boxes: Located on the third floor, the boxes accommodate approximately 20 to 100 guests. Each provides an indoor hospitality area, a private balcony and views across the course.
- Private-box services: The boxes include dedicated staff and private Tote facilities. Optional additions can include a Champagne reception and a racecard discussion with a guest tipster.
- Technology and meeting facilities: Available equipment includes sound, lighting and audiovisual systems. Larger suites have plasma screens and an in-house conference-camera system, while smaller syndicate and breakout rooms accommodate meetings and private functions.
- Outdoor events, pricing and parking: More than 150 acres of racecourse land are available for outdoor events and team-building activities. Banqueting menus are advertised from £32, and complimentary event parking is provided.
Rothesay Stand
- Location and history: The stand is immediately beyond the finishing post beside the Parade Ring and Flat-course running rail. It was officially renamed by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay during the 2012 Ayr Gold Cup Festival.
- Boxes and viewing: Private boxes accommodate approximately 10 to 70 guests and have balconies overlooking the home straight and wider course. A trackside viewing deck is available on the ground floor.
Racecourse Enclosures
- Single Enclosure: Most Ayr meetings operate without a division between Club and Grandstand, allowing racegoers to use all public facilities open that day.
- Club Enclosure: Club admission includes the public Grandstand areas, Champagne Bar and Gardens, Parade Ring and first-floor Princess Royal Suite.
- Grandstand Enclosure: Grandstand admission includes the main Grandstand, ground-floor Ayrshire Suite and Parade Ring.
- Grandstand Premier: On Scottish Grand National Saturday, the regular Grandstand becomes Grandstand Premier, while the Tented Village operates as a separate Grandstand area with its own bars, food outlets and entertainment.
- Operating arrangements: Enclosure layouts and available facilities vary by meeting.
Paddock Lawn Marquees
- Location, layout and capacity: The permanent marquees overlook the racetrack and paddock near the Parade Ring. They are fully carpeted, with glass paneling and patio doors opening onto the lawn and outdoor seating area, and can accommodate up to 350 guests.
- Hospitality and private events: Private-unit and shared-restaurant arrangements are available for raceday hospitality, corporate events and private functions.
Western House Hotel
- Location and contact: The four-star hotel is situated on the edge of Ayr Racecourse at Craigie Road, Ayr, Scotland KA8 0HA.
- Accommodation: The hotel has 49 rooms—10 executive rooms and suites in the Main House and 39 en-suite rooms in the Courtyard. Main House accommodation includes Terraced Suites, Junior Suites and Executive Double rooms, while the Ascot Suite has a balcony, garden views, luxury bathroom and outdoor hot tub.
- Racing and private events: Western House accommodates racing personnel when arranged through the racecourse and provides spaces for meetings, conferences, weddings and private functions.
- Dining hours:
- Brunch and lunch: Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- À la carte dinner: Monday through Saturday, 4:00–8:30 p.m.
- Sunday dining: Noon–8:30 p.m.
- Lounge menu: Daily, noon–8:30 p.m.
- Afternoon tea: Noon–5:00 p.m., except during December.
- Menu prices:
- Brunch dishes: £11–£13.50.
- Lunch dishes: £8–£20.
- À la carte starters: £6–£20.
- À la carte main courses: £16–£38.
- Two-course Sunday roast: £23.95.
- Three-course Sunday roast: £28.95.
- Cream tea: £7.50 per person.
- Afternoon tea: £50 per couple.
- Afternoon tea with Prosecco: £60 per couple.
- Afternoon tea with Champagne: £70 per couple.
Sunday Market
- Schedule and seller access: The market operates every Sunday from 8:00 a.m., except on dates excluded by the official schedule. Car-boot sellers, traders and approved food vendors are allocated positions on a first-come, first-served basis and should arrive between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
- Pitch prices: A standard car-boot pitch costs £17, while a car with a trailer or a van costs £22. New-goods pitches cost £24 for six feet, £28 for eight feet, £35 for 13 feet, £43 for 18 feet, £53 for 26 feet, £57 for 32 feet and £62 for 39 feet.
- Vendor requirements and parking: Operators of children’s rides or inflatables must provide public-liability insurance and a risk assessment. Food vendors must complete the checks required by South Ayrshire Council. Free parking is available beside Tesco.
Dining
- Roman Warrior Restaurant: Located on the second floor of the Princess Royal Stand, the restaurant accepts parties of one to 180. Its full-length balcony overlooks the course opposite the finishing line, while interior displays recognize notable horses that have raced at Ayr.
- Chancellor Restaurant: Located on the first floor of the Princess Royal Stand, the restaurant is arranged over two levels with a combined capacity of 220. The lower section has glazed track views, while the upper section overlooks the Parade Ring and Champagne Gardens. Both sections can be reserved for larger private groups.
- Red Rum Restaurant: Located on the third floor of the Princess Royal Stand, Red Rum overlooks the finishing post, racecourse and Parade Ring and is also used for private dinners and smaller functions.
- Public food and drink: The racecourse maps identify the Eglinton Food Court, Colours Café, Champagne Bar, Gin & Fizz Bar, Courtyard Bar and other outlets. Operating locations vary by meeting and enclosure arrangement.
Betting and Racegoer Amenities
- Betting and cash facilities: On-course bookmakers, betting shops and Tote pool points operate in the main public areas. Cash dispensers are available within the principal racegoing buildings.
- Guest services and public areas: First-aid points are positioned near the public entrances and stable area, while baby-changing facilities are available within the main stands. Public areas include the Parade Ring, Winners’ Enclosure, Weighing Room, Champagne Gardens and trackside lawns. Some facilities may not operate at every meeting.
Race Schedule and Major Events & Races
AYR Racecourse Race Schedule
- 🐎Live Racing Schedule
- Flat season: Ayr’s Flat season normally runs from May through October.
- National Hunt season: Hurdle and steeplechase racing normally runs from November through April.
- Scottish Grand National Festival: The principal National Hunt meeting is normally staged in April.
- Ayr Gold Cup Festival: The principal Flat meeting is normally staged over three days in September.
Listed Events
- 🐴 Doonside Cup
- 🐴 Harry Rosebery Stakes
- 🐴 Arran Scottish Fillies Sprint Stakes
- 🐴 Land O’Burns Fillies’ Stakes
Major Race Events
- 🐴 Scottish Grand National
- 🐴 Ayr Gold Cup
- 🐴 Ayr Silver Cup
- 🐴 Ayr Bronze Cup
- 🐴 Kilkerran Cup Handicap
- 🐴 Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase
- 🐴 CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase
- 🐴 Scotty Brand Handicap Chase
Graded Events
Grade II
- 🐴 Scottish Champion Hurdle
Grade III
- 🐴 Firth of Clyde Stakes
Location and Access to the Racecourse
- Address and road access: Ayr Racecourse is located at 2–6 Whitletts, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland KA8 0JE. The racecourse is approximately 37 miles from Glasgow via the M77 and 83 miles from Edinburgh by road.
- Rail and bus access: Ayr railway station is less than five minutes from the racecourse by road and approximately a 21-minute walk. Stagecoach operates services to Ayr from surrounding locations, with current timetables available through the operator.
- Airport access: Glasgow Prestwick Airport is approximately 10 minutes from Ayr by road. Glasgow Airport is approximately 40 minutes from the racecourse.
- Parking and drop-off: General racecourse parking is free. Accessible spaces are located outside the Princess Royal entrance on a first-come, first-served basis, with an accessible drop-off point beside Gate C.
- Accessible entrance and external areas: Gate C provides a sloped entrance leading to the Parade Ring, trackside areas, lawns, Ayrshire Suite, Princess Royal Suite, betting areas and bars. Most external areas are on hard standing without stairs, with level grass areas available beside the track and lawns.
- Lifts, toilets and viewing: Lifts provide access to the upper Princess Royal Suite, hospitality facilities and the two levels within the Princess Royal Suite. Accessible toilets are located in the Ayrshire Suite, Princess Royal Suite, Western House Hotel and Owners Club. An elevated, ramp-accessible trackside viewing area is available to Club and Grandstand racegoers.
- Assistance dogs and carer tickets: Assistance dogs are permitted in indoor and outdoor areas and should be kept on a lead where possible. Complimentary carer tickets are available to eligible racegoers; advance booking is recommended, and supporting accreditation may be requested at entry.
Contact
- Whitletts Rd, Ayr KA8 0JE, United Kingdom
- Phone: +44 1292 264179
- https://www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk/
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Ayr Racecourse
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