Ayr Racecourse

Ayr Racecourse is the Premier Racecourse in Scotland, home to some of the top Scottish races – Including the world renowned Coral Scottish Grand National in April, and the William Hill (Ayr) Gold Cup Festival in September. Ayr Racecourse must be considered the top dual purpose horse racing track in Scotland, holding both National Hunt and Flat fixtures, you will find all year round racing, with 27 race meetings to choose from in 2011

Ayr Racecourse

Ayr Racecourse is a flat left handed oval of about one and a half miles with a long run in which will test the most resolute of gallopers. Always considered to be a fair test for a good horse, Ayr benefits from being close to the West coast, the moderate climate and sandy soil combining to produce an excellent racing surface at all times of the year.

Ayr Racecourse - The Racetrack

There will be 16 flat fixtures and 11 jumps meetings with the flat season in 2011 running from Wednesday May 25 through to Saturday October 29.

The January 2 and 3 jumps fixture is sure to be popular with racegoers keen to take in some racing over the festive period. There’s a third January meeting at Ayr Racecourse on the 31st of the month. The 2011 Coral Scottish Grand National Festival will be held on Friday April 15 and Saturday April 16 with the William Hill (Ayr) Gold Cup Festival running from Thursday September 15 until Saturday September 17.

Ayr Racecourse Facilities

Enjoy top class facilities at Ayr Racecourse, experience the buzz of race days in comfortable and stylish bars where fine wine, dining and a warm welcome are always a dead cert. You’ll be spoiled for choice. Whether it’s the bubbles from champagne or beer that gets you going, there really is something for everyone at Ayr Racecourse.

The Seafood Bar, adjacent to the Weighing Room, allows you to soak up all the atmosphere of the pre and post-race formalities, and gives easy access to the external Fosters Lawns alongside the Parade Ring.

The Be Friendly Bar, is situated near to the Paddock area, and is the perfect place to sit and relax while soaking up the atmosphere on race days. On warmer days, external seating is positioned outside and around the Paddock area, heightening the pleasure of Ayr race days.

The Horseshoe Bar and Furlong Bar on the second floor of the Princess Royal Suite are certainly the place to be after every race meeting, where a live band performs to an eager audience in full swing, The Bistro Cafe and Coffee Shop on the same floor are the perfect place to grab a bite to eat whilst studying the form.

The magnificent new Grandstand Sports Bar at Ayr Racecourse, which opened in April 2008, provides superb state of the art bar and betting facilities, and on the main Festival race days is home to the very best in post-racing live entertainment. The Grandstand Sports Bar also offers a selection of hot and cold meals, rolls and sandwiches, and tea coffee and soft drinks

The Roman Warrior and Chancellor Carvery Restaurants, and Private Boxes within the Princess Royal and Paddock Stands, as well as the Paddock Lawn and Fosters Lawn Marquees provide unparalleled hospitality facilities. These facilities must be booked in advance.

Ayr Racecourse Scottish Grand National

Ayr Racecourse - Scottish Grand National

Ayr Racecourse is home to The Scottish Grand National – a Grade 3 National Hunt race open to horses aged five years or older, over a distance of about 4 miles and 110 yards (6,538 metres). There are twenty-seven fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.

Scotland’s equivalent of the Grand National, and run during the two day Scottish Grand National Festival meeting it is an event not to be missed. In 2010 more than £425 Million Pounds changed hands so you can imagine the atmosphere on the track.

Ayr Racecourse Directions

The upgraded M77/A77 links Ayr with Glasgow which is only 35 miles away and Edinburgh is a 90 mile drive. There is a regular, reliable rail service from Ayr to all parts of the country and the station is less than five minutes by road from the course. To help you plan your directions to Ayr Racecourse. we enclose an interactive map below.

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Ayr Racecourse Dress Code

There is no formal dress code at Ayr Racecourse, as with all horse racing venues we suggest you stick to smart if you intend to venture inside and smart casual if you don’t.

A day out at Ayr has to be one of the finest in Scotland, it’s exquisite and charming in equal measures. Do yourselves a favour and visit Ayr Racecourse on Scottish Grand National Day, you won’t be disappointed.

Make every day a winner!