Owners and Trainers - Ayr Racecourse

Welcome to Ayr

We are delighted when owners and trainers choose to run their horses at Ayr, and we are committed to making every visit a memorable one, for the right reasons. Whether you are a sole owner experiencing the thrill of the parade ring for the first time, or a seasoned syndicate returning for another season, our aim is to look after you properly from the moment you arrive.

Ayr is Scotland’s premier racecourse and the home of the Scottish Grand National and the Ayr Gold Cup. It is a place with genuine heritage and heart, and that spirit extends to the way we care for the connections who make our sport possible.

Your Dedicated Point of Contact
Jim MacLellan is your Owners and Trainers Liaison — your first port of call for any query, no matter how large or small. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch before raceday if there is anything we can do to help you prepare for your visit.

Email: jmaclellan@westernhousehotel.co.uk

Mobile: 07856 272 552

If you have reduced mobility or require any additional assistance on raceday, please let us know when you register so we can ensure everything is in place for you.

Arriving at Ayr

All owners and their guests should arrive via Gate B on Craigie Road, which brings you directly to Western House Hotel which we believe is the heart of the owners’ experience at Ayr. Although we always strive to be located in Western House on the very odd occasion when that is not possible we will provide the alternative details in our communications with Owners and Trainers.

From Whitletts Road, proceed past the main racecourse entrance (passing Tesco and McDonald’s), turn left at the next set of traffic lights onto Craigie Road, and the Western House Hotel entrance is 200 yards on your left. Parking is available directly in front of the hotel. Sat nav: KA8 0JE.

By Rail
Regular direct trains serve Ayr station, a 12-minute walk from the course, with frequent services from Glasgow Central (approx. 50 minutes). Glasgow is directly connected from London Euston, making Ayr accessible for connections travelling from the south.

EV Charging
Two electric vehicle charging points are available at Western House on racedays for owners and guests. Please contact your liaison in advance if you would like to reserve a charging bay.

Badge Entitlements

The following complimentary Owners & Trainers badges are provided for each declared runner. Please ensure you have registered via the PASS system by 6pm the evening before racing — later than most courses, to give you maximum flexibility.

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Complimentary Badges

OWNERSHIP TYPES

Sole Owner – 6 Badges
Joint Owners (2) – 6 Badges
Syndicate (standard) – 6 Badges
Syndicate (lunch waived) – 12 Badges, no lunch

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Additional Badges

Additional badges may be purchased at 50% of the on-the-day General Admittance price, subject to capacity. Syndicates wishing to take the additional badge option (12 badges in lieu of lunch) should contact Jim MacLellan in advance wherever possible.

Connections and guests are invited, along with representatives of the Race Sponsor, to a private area to toast their winner with Champagne & Canapes and to relive the victory, via USB Flash Drive. A copy of the Flash Drive, along with a framed photograph of the moment of victory, are also presented to our winning Owners as a lasting memory.

Your Home for the Day

Western House Hotel

Western House Hotel is the centrepiece of the Ayr owners’ experience, a beautifully restored arts and crafts listed building, built in 1919 as a private club for the Western Meeting membership, and now one of Scotland’s most distinctive sporting venues.

Owners and their guests are welcomed into the hotel’s Ballroom for our award-winning pre-racing buffet, where a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink is served. Our kitchen team takes real pride in the quality and variety of the spread, and the feedback we receive from connections year after year reflects that.

The Owners and Trainers Lounge is located on the ground floor of the Princess Royal Building, directly opposite the winners’ enclosure, giving you the ideal vantage point as your horse enters the parade ring. On certain racedays we have additional Owners and Trainers facilities available and these will be highlighted in advance. Tote facilities and bookmakers are available both within Western House and on course throughout the day.

Syndicate Owners Midweek Racedays

On midweek fixtures, syndicate owners benefit from exclusive use of the Chancellor Room, a dedicated private lounge on the lower level of the Princess Royal Building. This gives syndicate connections their own space during racing, with a more intimate atmosphere in which to enjoy the day together. Please let Jim MacLellan know in advance if you are attending as part of a syndicate on a midweek fixture so that arrangements can be confirmed.

Viewing & Parade Ring Access

A dedicated, signposted viewing area is reserved for owners and trainers in the main stand, positioned close to the parade ring to give you the best possible sightline during each race.

Your Owners & Trainers badge gives you direct access to the parade ring, so you can be alongside your horse before the off, one of the great privileges of ownership.

When Your Horse Wins

Winning at Ayr is a moment to savour, and we make sure connections celebrate it properly. Following each race, winning owners and their guests along with the race sponsor’s representatives are invited to a private reception to toast the victory with champagne and canápés.

A dedicated Owners and Trainers Liaison will be with you throughout to ensure the moment is captured and celebrated. A video recording of the race is presented to connections on a USB flash drive as a keepsake of the day.

Horse Welfare & Veterinary Provision

The welfare of your horse is our first priority. Ayr employs experienced veterinary surgeons deployed around the track, parade ring, and stable yard throughout every raceday. The BHA provides its own Veterinary Officer at each meeting to oversee standards independently.
In the event of any incident involving a horse, green screens are used immediately to ensure privacy and a calm treatment environment. We are committed to the highest standards of equine care from the moment your horse arrives to the moment it departs.

Practical Information

Dress Code
Smart dress is encouraged throughout all Owners and Trainers areas. Ripped denim and trainers are not favoured. For specific festival fixtures, please check with your liaison for any updated guidance.

Betting
Tote facilities and bookmakers are available within Western House Hotel and on course throughout the day.

Key Contacts

Jim MacLellan
Owners & Trainers Liaison
07856 272 552
jmaclellan@westernhousehotel.co.uk

Graeme Anderson
Clerk of the Course / Head Groundsman
07768 651261

Emma Laurenson
Stable Manager
07365 526930
stablestaff@ayr-racecourse.co.uk

Kevin Edmunds
Assistant Clerk of the Course
07943 989219

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