Ayr Racecourse
Encyclopedia
Ayr Racecourse at Whitletts Road, Ayr
, Scotland
, was opened on 1907. The track is a left-handed, oval track, thirteen furlong
s in circumference, with a straight run-in of half a mile. There are courses for flat
and for National Hunt racing
. The course stages the highest-quality racing and most prestigious races run in Scotland in both codes of the sport.
Ayr Racecourse replaced an earlier course that was at Racecourse Road. The present racecourse also hosts a car boot sale
and market every Sunday except when it conflicts with race fixtures.
National Hunt races:
Ayr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, was opened on 1907. The track is a left-handed, oval track, thirteen furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
s in circumference, with a straight run-in of half a mile. There are courses for flat
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
and for National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...
. The course stages the highest-quality racing and most prestigious races run in Scotland in both codes of the sport.
Ayr Racecourse replaced an earlier course that was at Racecourse Road. The present racecourse also hosts a car boot sale
Car boot sale
Car boot/trunk sales or boot/trunk fairs are a mainly British form of market in which private individuals come together to sell household and garden goods.The term refers to the selling of items from a car's boot or trunk...
and market every Sunday except when it conflicts with race fixtures.
Notable races
Flat races:- Ayr Gold CupAyr Gold CupThe Ayr Gold Cup is a flat horse race in Scotland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older...
- Doonside Cup Stakes
- Firth of Clyde StakesFirth of Clyde StakesThe Firth of Clyde Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Ayr over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
- Harry Rosebery Stakes
- Land O'Burns Fillies' Stakes
- Scottish DerbyScottish DerbyThe Scottish Derby was a Group 2 flat horse race in Scotland which was open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It was run at Ayr, South Ayrshire, over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it was scheduled to take place each year in July.The event was established in 1979, and it was...
(last run in 2005)
National Hunt races:
- Future Champion Novices' ChaseFuture Champion Novices' ChaseThe Future Champion Novices' Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ayr, Scotland, over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are seventeen fences to be jumped...
- Scottish Champion HurdleScottish Champion HurdleThe Scottish Champion Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Scotland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ayr, South Ayrshire, over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
- Scottish Grand NationalScottish Grand NationalThe Scottish Grand National is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ayr, Scotland, over a distance of approximately 4 miles and 110 yards and 27 fences...