In the initial days, there was no special team tasked with the management of the Ayr Racecourse. As such, early racing events were organised and sponsored by the landed gentry and some members of the Caledonian Hunt. Some of the notable noblemen who pioneered events include James Boswell and the Duke of Portland.
The biggest racing prize was offered in 1838 after the epoch-making Western Meeting which was held in 1824. The richest sprint handicap race in the whole of Europe is an idea that came up after that meeting. It remains the meeting’s most praiseworthy race and one of the most laudable achievements in the annals of horse racing worldwide.
As a result of Ayr’s Racecourse limited track and paddock space, a new site for the sporting facility was established in 1907. These new developments pushed the racecourse to the Craigie part of the town. A close study of other famous racing grounds, the new racing grounds were modelled after that of Newbury, the only noticeable difference being that Ayr’s straight course was a bit longer.
In 1950, jump races were introduced in Ayr’s Racecourse events. After the closure of Bogside Racecourse in 1966, the Scottish Grand National was transferred to the new course, giving it a prominent standing in the United Kingdom and beyond. As a result of its recently acquired preeminence, the new Ayr Racecourse is now regarded as the premier racecourse in the whole of Scotland.
One of the most conspicuous characteristics of Ayr Racecourse is its noticeably flat outlook. Due to its levelled nature, most flat horse races are held here. These events include 5 furlongs, 6 furlongs, 7 furlongs, and one-mile flat races. Due to the immense publicity was given to these regular events, Ayr Racecourse has progressively gained popularity as one of the most influential horse racing courses in Europe and the world at large.
Ayr’s Racecourse track is 12 furlongs and includes a half a mile run-in. The oval track is joined by a six-furlong chute and is generally flat apart from a few gentle undulations. With fairly well-graded turns, Ayr Racecourse may be regarded as one of the leading fair tracks in the United Kingdom.
The famous racecourse also hosts jump races such as the 2 miles and one furlong hurdle and 2 miles and four-furlong sports events. The course for jump races is one and a half mile left-handed circuit that features nine prominent fences. It runs downhill to the home turn before rising to a gentle finish. Owing to the tortuous terrain, the racecourse can be quite a gruelling sometimes.
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Contact details: Ayr Racecourse, 2 - 6 Whitletts, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA8 OJE
Tel: 01292 264179
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