Stabling & overnight accommodation
Welcome to Ayr Racecourse
We’re delighted to welcome you and your horses to Ayr. We know that racing grooms and stable staff work incredibly hard to get horses to the track in the best possible condition, often after long journeys, and we want to make sure your time here is as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
If you have any questions before or during your visit, our Stable Manager Emma Laurenson is your first point of contact and will be happy to help — her details are below.
The Stables
Ayr Racecourse has 172 stables, with paper or shavings bedding allocated on arrival. The stable yard entrance is on Craigie Road, approximately 80 yards past the traffic lights on the left-hand side (Sat Nav: KA8 0HA).
Morning exercise should be carried out between 7am and 8am.
Overnight Stabling & Accommodation
For those travelling significant distances to race at Ayr, we’re pleased to offer overnight stabling and accommodation at the racecourse. To arrange this, please download and complete the Overnight Stabling & Accommodation Form and return it to us by 1pm the day before racing.
Download the Stabling and Overnight Accommodation Form here – Fax: 01292 610140 or email: stablestaff@ayr-racecourse.co.uk
Where you’ll stay
We aim to accommodate all Racing Grooms at our adjacent Western House Hotel, where rooms are 4-star single en-suite. Please check in at Western House reception on arrival. On our busier meetings, a small number of guests may be placed in nearby secondary accommodation — if that applies to you, we’ll arrange complimentary transport back to the racecourse.
Complimentary evening meal: On the evening before racing, a complimentary meal is served in the Western House Hotel restaurant between 7pm and 9pm. For late arrivals after 9pm, a packed lunch will be provided. We ask all guests to be considerate of other hotel residents during their stay.
Departure: We kindly ask that rooms are vacated by 11am on the morning of departure. We hope you enjoy your stay.
Raceday Catering
Racing Groom catering on racedays is served in the Western House Hotel restaurant, where you can expect a good-quality meal in comfortable surroundings. On the rare occasions when an alternative location is used, we’ll make sure you’re informed in advance.
Throughout the raceday, tea, coffee, and light snacks are also available in the Racing Grooms’ Canteen, situated to the rear of the Pre-Parade Ring. The day room, immediately next door to the canteen, is available for your use throughout the day.
Box Drivers & Day Visitors
Horses are unloaded via the Craigie Road entrance. Once unloaded, please park horseboxes in the designated parking area through Gate A. Additional parking is available across from the loading area on Scottish Grand National and Ayr Gold Cup racedays.
Shower and toilet facilities are available within the stable yard for box drivers and day-visiting stable staff once booked in. To help us maintain a clean and tidy yard, please use the skips and bins provided for all stable and horsebox waste.
Your Contacts
Emma Laurenson
Stable Manager
07365 526930
Graeme Anderson
Clerk of the Course / Head Groundsman
07768 651261
Kevin Edmunds
Assistant Clerk of the Course
07943 989219
