AYR RACECOURSE

Ayr Racecourse is Scotland's premier dual-purpose venue, staging both Flat and National Hunt racing. Its best-known Flat meeting is the Ayr Gold Cup Festival in September, while the course also hosts the Scottish Grand National during the jumps season.

Key Characteristics

Ayr is a left-handed course of about a mile and a half, with a very wide straight course of six furlongs and gentle undulations. It is generally regarded as a fair track, although draw and pace can still become important in large-field sprint races, especially when the ground causes runners to favour one part of the straight.

Course map

Interesting Facts about Ayr Racecourse

Horse racing since the 16th century: Racing in Ayr can be traced back to 1576, making it one of Scotland's oldest horse racing venues with a history spanning almost 450 years.
Home of the Scottish Grand National: Ayr has staged the Scottish Grand National since 1966, after the race was transferred from Bogside Racecourse. Today it is Scotland's most prestigious National Hunt race.
The Ayr Gold Cup is Europe's richest sprint handicap: First run in 1804, the Ayr Gold Cup has grown into one of Britain's premier sprint handicaps and is regarded as the richest race of its type in Europe.
The course moved in 1907: Ayr's original racecourse was located at Seafield before moving to its current Craigie site in 1907. The old racecourse is now public parkland and part of Seafield Golf Course.
Modelled on Newbury: Before constructing the new course, officials visited racecourses across Britain for inspiration. Ayr's layout was eventually based on Newbury, although its straight course measures six furlongs rather than a mile.
Red Rum made history here: In 1974, the legendary Red Rum became the first horse to win both the Aintree Grand National and the Scottish Grand National in the same season, completing one of racing's greatest achievements.
Scotland's premier racecourse: Ayr is Scotland's only Grade 1 racecourse and hosts the country's biggest Flat and National Hunt meetings each year.
Racing all year round: A dedicated jumps course was added in 1950, allowing Ayr to stage both Flat and National Hunt racing and making it one of Scotland's busiest racecourses.