Racing Overview

Overview
2023

Ayr Racecourse is a dual purpose track racing all year round with the Flat season normally running from May through to October and the Jumps from November until April.

The two highlights of the respective seasons are the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival in April and the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Festival in September.

But with more than 30 fixtures a year there are numerous racedays and nights to enjoy and sample the delights of Scotland’s premier racecourse.

It’s always a busy summer at Ayr with four meetings in May and three in June culminating with the Unite Scotland Summer Raceday on June 24^th and then into July which is the busiest month of the year at the track.

The Family Day on Sunday July 9 combines six exciting races with childrens’ entertainment which is all free and under 18s go free if accompanied by an adult.

The feature race on the card is the Book Bounce Bingo At Ayr Racecourse Handicap and this mile contest has £20,000 in prize-money.

There is also racing on Mondays July 10^th, 17^th, 24^th and 31^st with Glasgow Fair Family Day on the 17^th featuring the £30,000 Ayr Gold Cup Trial over six furlongs which was introduced in 2022 and also including lots of free childrens’ entertainment..

August’s three meetings fall on Monday 7^th, Saturday 12^th which is Scottish Sun Ladies Night and Thursday 17^th.

The Ayr Gold Cup Festival runs from Thursday September 21 until Saturday September 23 and is the jewel in the crown of the flat racing season in Scotland with Saturday’s £180,000 Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup the highlight of the week and one of the richest sprint handicaps in Europe.

Other principal races on Saturday include Scotland’s only Group race the Firth Of Clyde Stakes, The Ayr Silver Cup and The Doonside Cup, Listed Race. The Kilkerran Cup is the Thursday feature with Friday’s action headlined by the Ayr Bronze Cup and also featuring two Listed Races the British EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes and the Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies’ Stakes.

The Flat season concludes with racing on Tuesday October 3^rd and Thursday October 12^th.

The Jumps season kicks off on Saturday November 4^th with further fixtures before the end of the year on Wednesday November 15^th, Monday December 4^th and Monday December 11^th

Into 2024 and New Year’s Raceday on Tuesday January 2^nd is traditionally a highlight of the season and a perfect way to end the Festivities.

Other Jumps fixtures will follow in January, February and March with dates to be confirmed before the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival in April which features two days of high quality racing featuring the Coral Scottish Grand National and the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle on Saturday plus the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase on Friday along with top class supporting races both days.

Upcoming
2024 Fixtures

We are now delighted to announce our Fixture Dates for the upcoming year.

With lots of racing to get excited about including click here to view our 2024 racedays.

“With many years experience as a Racehorse owner, I am constantly impressed with the effort and expediency with which the team at Ayr work to ensure that the race track is produced to the highest standard possible. Welfare of horses and jockeys is obviously paramount in their priorities. This, coupled with first class hospitality, is why we remain long-standing Sponsors and supporters of Ayr.”

Ronnie Bartlett, Chairman

Albert Bartlett

“Coral has a long history of sponsoring major horse races at a variety of leading British racecourses, but I can safely say that in recent years the sponsorship experience at Ayr Racecourse sets the standard. The team at Ayr are dynamic and efficient and nothing is left to chance when it comes to fulfilling the needs of the sponsor. The corporate hospitality is of the highest quality with varied menus prepared beautifully and delivered with a friendly and professional service. ”

Simon Clare, Director of Public Relations

Coral UK