Horse Racing
April 2015The Coral Scottish National
Each year in April, top horses, jockeys, and trainers compete in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr Racecourse. The Scottish Grand National Festival is one of the highlights on the Scottish horseracing calendar.
Inaugurated in 1865, the race was initially run at Bogside Racecourse, moving to Ayr in 1965 when the former course closed down. The Scottish Grand National race is the most prestigious and wealthiest National Hunt Meet in Scotland with a very sizable prize fund. Each year over 18,000 spectators flock to Ayr Racecourse to support their favourite jockeys and back their favourite horses.
The three-day racing festival at Ayr Racecourse offers not only spectacular racing but a whole host of musical entertainment and fine Scottish hospitality. One of the most popular spots during the festival is the Paddock Lawn Marquee which offers delightful buffets and picturesque settings, with quaint gardens and magnificent views of the Parade Ring where you can marvel at the champion racehorses in the lap of luxury. Or if you are looking to spoil yourself during the Scottish Grand National then book a private box in the Princess Royal Stand which is situated high up on the third floor, offering amazing views of the finishing post and the entirety of Ayr Racecourse.
The Scottish Grand National is held on the second day of the festival with the prize fund being an estimated £200,000.
The race at Ayr Racecourse is a fabulous and colourful event, especially when the jockeys are racing towards the finishing line with the crowds cheering for their favourite horses. However, the spectators still cheer until all the horses have crossed the line and then celebrate their winnings with champagne or drown their sorrows with a stiff drink.
