Residents and staff at Strachan House care home in Edinburgh enjoyed celebrating the Grand National last week when the released their own Strachan House sprinters, which joined in a fitness session on Friday 14th April.
Sadly despite our residents putting them through their paces our horses never made it to the big one on Saturday!
Residents and staff got together to watch the races, and celebrated in style by having an afternoon of fitness and music which entailed not only two race horses joining us but a good old friend Mr T Rex. Mr T Rex is also a firm favourite with the residents and has made a few guest appearances in the past. As always it was hilarity from start to finish.
Mandy Head of Activities said “we are always finding different fun ways to keep our residents active and engaged and this was certainly a fun way to end the week. Everyone wanted a sneaky dance with Mr Rex not to mention the fun exercise session that our horses demonstrated.
!Sometimes you just have to have some out right fun and laughter and this afternoon certainly had everyone jumping for joy!”
Gordon Philp, General Manager at the home, said: “We’ve had a fantastic time celebrating Aintree’s Ladies Day, it is such a great session and we all had fun cheering on the horses and jockeys as they joined in the getting fit with the residents – although that Mr Rex was eyeing up one of horses as a tasty snack!”
Moira Ingram, a resident at the home, commented: “I love the staff when they dress up, it is such a fantastic spectacle and I’m sure the laughter could been heard in the streets.
“I haven’t got a clue about horse racing, but it certainly was comical to watch!”
The varied life enrichment programme at Strachan House keeps residents active and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.
Strachan House is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides nursing care, residential care, respite care.
Revellers back in the saddle for highest value raceday of 2023
ONE of the UK’s most stylish racecourses is urging revellers to snap up tickets for one of its richest racing events of the year – with a total of £226,000 worth of prize money to be awarded across the day.
Musselburgh Racecourse’s Easter Saturday raceday will take place on 8 April with a series of key races taking place throughout the day including the venue’s highest value race – the prestigious Queen’s Cup.
This year, the Queen’s Cup will be presented by Judy Murray, with £100,000 up for grabs. The race received its name following Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Musselburgh Racecourse for its Bicentenary Raceday in 2016. The racecourse has a proud Royal heritage with The Queen’s Stand also opened by Princess Anne.
The Racecourse’s Easter Saturday event – is set to be the biggest yet, with ITV Racing covering the entire day.
Other exciting races that will take place on Easter Saturday include the Royal Mile Handicap, the Silver Arrow and Scotland’s fastest race, the Scottish Sprint Cup, which attracts top sprinters from across the country.
Gordon Brown, Race Reporter for Scottish Racing, said: “The Easter Saturday event at Musselburgh Racecourse is set to be one of prominence in the horseracing calendar.
“Some of the fastest horses in the country have scorched to victory in the Scottish Sprint Cup with the runners galloping quicker than the legal speed limit on the adjacent road into Musselburgh town!
“The five-furlong track record was smashed in this race in 2018 when the Alastair Rawlinson-partnered Caspian Prince stopped the clock at an electrifying 56.77 seconds.
“Last year’s impressive winner of the prestigious Queen’s Cup was Ian Williams-trained horse Enemy, who has since just been pipped in a contest at Ascot, won a race at the Dubai Carnival and picked up a staggering £416,666 for finishing a close second at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
“The event marks a major day in racing and I’m looking forward to seeing how the entries will perform. For spectators, it really will be a sight to behold and not only that, there will be a host of entertainment throughout the course of the day’s celebrations.”
With a series of packages already sold out, the racecourse is anticipating a capacity attendance with a blend of action-packed racing, music and first-class food offerings.
The East Lothian venue will be bringing back its popular ‘Pommery domes’ for the event – which were a huge hit on New Year’s Day – with a bottle of Pommery Champagne and charcuterie board to enjoy while soaking up the race day atmosphere.
After the last race, racegoers will be able to dance the night away with the memorable ‘Funkwagen’ party experience – a DJ set-up in a vintage Volkswagen van.
Vendors will include some of Scotland’s best street food offerings, such as Well Hung and Tender’s burgers and chips, Dog N Bon’s hot dogs and loaded fries, Bonnie Burrito’s Mexican cuisine and NeeNaw fire engine’s wood fired Neapolitan style pizzas.
Aisling Johnston, Marketing Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “Easter Saturday is one of our biggest social events in the calendar. It promises to be a day full of music, dancing, delicious food, champagne bars and of course, first-class racing.
“So, strap on your best dancing shoes and come and join us for an unforgettable Easter experience. Tickets are selling quickly, so act now to have the chance of grabbing one for yourself – you won’t regret it!”
Purchasing a ticket before midnight on the 7th April will result in a saving of £5 per person. On the day gate admission will be £35. Children 17 years and under go free.
Musselburgh Racecourse provides year-round racing action, with 27 race days across the flat and jump racing season – weekend, midweek and evening.
Every race day offers quality racing with outstanding facilities and an atmosphere to match. Its ‘Sensational 6’ includes New Year’s Day, Scottish Cheltenham Trials Weekend, Easter Saturday, The Edinburgh Cup sponsored by Edinburgh Gin, Stobo Castle Ladies Day and The Summer Finale weekend.
For further information on Easter Saturday and to book tickets now, visit:
A new race commemorating the HRH Prince Philip will be launched tomorrow (Wednesday 2 Nov) at the opening meeting of Musselburgh Racecourse’s jumps season.
The East Lothian course received Royal approval to mark the late Duke of Edinburgh’s visits to the course by staging the Prince Philip Perpetual Challenge Cup, a £25,000 stayers’ chase over three and a half miles.
Highlights of Musselburgh’s 11-fixture National Hunt season include the traditional New Year’s Day meeting, the bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend in early February, and the Go North festival in late March.
With advance ticket sales for New Year’s Day doing well, racecourse general manager Bill Farnsworth revealed the track capacity has been increased to 7,000, which if it sells out would be a modern day record attendance at a Musselburgh jumps meeting.
He said: “We were heading for a sell-out last New Year’s Day but due to the pre-Christmas Covid spike the meeting had to be held behind-closed doors. That was obviously very disappointing, but we hope to build on this to kick off 2023 in great style, and with a full house at Musselburgh there is no better place to be on the first of January.”
On top of an excellent race card, race goers will have the added bonus of witnessing the running of the world’s oldest amateur athletics race as the famous New Year Sprint returns to Musselburgh after a short break.
The bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials over the weekend of 4-5 February will boast prize money of more than £250,000 with the Scottish County Hurdle and Edinburgh National races on the Saturday carrying prize money of £40,000 and £50,000, respectively.
The feature race on the Sunday is the Scottish Triumph Hurdle Trial which has increased prize money from £25,000 to £40,000. Bill Farnsworth added: “This is Musselburgh’s only Class 1 race and with the support of the British Horseracing Authority, which recognised our Triumph Hurdle as a key prep race for the Cheltenham showpiece in March, we are delighted to have been able to increase the prize fund.”
The Go North Race Day on Friday 24 March closes Musselburgh’s jumps season and is part of a weekend festival of racing which includes Kelso and Carlisle racecourses. Go North celebrates the horses and trainers who have competed on the Northern circuit throughout the winter months and features seven £30,000 finals over the three tracks.
Bill Farnsworth added: “We had a great crowd at last year’s Go North finale and hope to repeat that in 2023 but we have a lot of racing to get through before that.The course is in fantastic condition and we can’t wait to get started and to welcome people back for an exciting jumps season.”
To find out more information, full fixture details, and to book tickets, visit:
Musselburgh Racecourse’s final hurrah of the summer is set for an invasion of superheroes with next month’s Musselburgh Gold Cup Family Raceday.
Proving that racing isn’t just for the adults, the whole family is invited to embrace Superheroes Day with entertainment celebrating some of Marvel and DC’s most daring characters – from Batman and Spiderman to Captain America and Bumblebee.
Taking place on Sunday, September 11 and marking the last of The Sensational 7 Series of the year, the event invites youngsters to dress up as their favourite superhero or character in costume for a day at the races filled with family fun.
In the words of Spiderman’s Uncle Ben, with great power comes great responsibility – to enjoy yourself … !
Children 17 years and under are admitted free, when accompanied by a paying adult, and can enjoy the Clip Clop kids zone with children’s rides and superhero shows, prizes for the kids in the best dressed superhero or character costume, chill out tepee, bubbles and the ever-popular face-painting – all included in the ticket price. If that isn’t enough, they can also enjoy the day at the kids disco.
Alongside all the family fun, the East Lothian track is hosting an afternoon of equally exciting, top-quality racing and the raceday packages Musselburgh is renowned for, including picnic table reservations, dining at the Harris Tweed Bistro plus Fish & Chips and Gourmet Hot Dog options.
The Musselburgh Gold Cup over two miles, is one of the three feature races carrying £25,000 in prize money. Last year it was won by Haizoom, trained at Carluke by Keith Dalgleish and four out of the last five favourites have been successful.
Dumfriesshire-based Iain Jardine is another trainer from Scotland that has won this staying event which has also gone to horses from Newmarket and Yorkshire in the past.
Aisling Johnston, Commercial Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse said: “We’ve had a fantastic summer season and we want to go out on a high, with an event that brings together the whole family for a spectacular finale.
“We can’t wait. Bring on the invasion of the superheroes, we’re ready for them!”
Tickets for The Musselburgh Gold Cup Family Raceday are now on sale and booking before midnight on the 26th August will save £10.00 off the raceday gate admission price (£30.00). Children 17 years and under are admitted FREE at Musselburgh Racecourse when accompanied by a paying adult.
Concession tickets are available at the gate on the day for £15 per person.
Tickets for the Summer Finale Raceday on Saturday 10th September are also available for purchase. To find out more information about this day and the additional 28 fixtures throughout the year, please visit https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk
Scotland’s biggest and most prestigious 5-star Ladies Day held on Friday 5th August at Musselburgh Racecourse in East Lothian, has announced the winners for this year’s Style Awards.
Newly launched for 2022, the competition looking for style, elegance and individuality was judged by leading Scottish stylists and influencers including Eva Arrighi, Laura Russell, Amee Young, and Maggie Smith.
Commenting on the judging process, Eva Arrighi stylist and judge at Stobo Caste Ladies Day said: “Ladies Day is synonymous with getting dressed up, and each year we see a collection of stunning styles and fashions.
“This year we are looking at the evolution of style and the competition was steep with so many amazing outfits worn by both the ladies and gentlemen attending the event.”
The top awards on the day for the most stylish attendees went to:
The winner of the Style Awards 2022 – Aneela Afzal (Edinburgh)
2nd placed winner was Heather Burnside (Dalkeith)
3rd place winner was Ryan Young (Eyemouth)
Most stylish Hat was awarded to Josephine Lynas (Dunfermline)
This year’s winner bagged an exclusive visit to Champagne Pommery with a guided tour of the Domaine including the Clos Pompadour vineyard, the Pommery cuverie and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed chalk cellars.
This glamorous prize also includes £1,500 spending money, tutored tastings, overnight accommodation at a 4* hotel in the centre of Reims, taxi transfers and lunch at Le Réfectoire at the Pommery Domaine, including a bottle of Pommery Brut Apanage NV.
The second prize winner received a spa day and lunch for two from title sponsors Stobo Castle and the third-placed runner-up won a bottle of Pommery and a £50 gift voucher for Musselburgh Races. There was also a prize for Best Hat at Musselburgh Ladies Day and the winner won a £300 voucher to exchange at Edinburgh Hat Studio, the studio of prestigious Edinburgh milliner Sally-Ann Provan.
Aisling Johnston, Commercial Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “We were delighted to welcome back thousands of spectators to enjoy our stylish sell out Stobo Castle Ladies Day. It’s always a great day out and such a fabulous opportunity for people to really get dressed up – and this year they didn’t disappoint.”
After the last race, TV presenter, model and DJ, Vogue Williams continued the glamourous theme of the day and entertained the crowds by taking to the decks to keep the party atmosphere going well into the evening.
Highlights from the £90,000 raceday included Sir Chauvelin, at the age of ten, being the oldest in the line-up to win a thrilling renewal of the So Stobo Platinum Jubilee Handicap by a short-head from Dark Jedi.
Scottish trainer Linda Perratt struck with a double courtesy of Chinese Spirit and Monhammer. The former landed the opening Champagne Pommery Rose Magnum by the minimum margin of a nose while the latter was a comfortable scorer of the Mcewan Fraser Handicap.
Arrange, trained in Cumbria by Martin Todhunter, was the most impressive winner of the afternoon as she blitzed home under top-weight by over seven lengths in the concluding Champagne Pommery Cuvee Louise Handicap.
Stobo Castle Ladies Day is part of the Sensational 7 Series and tickets for 2023 will go on sale from tomorrow at www.musselburghracecourse.co.uk.
Tickets to The Summer Finale are also selling fast, so book now to avoid disappointment.
A well-known Edinburgh company will celebrate its 75th year in businesses by sponsoring Musselburgh Racecourse’s popular Friday Night at the Races.
Long term racecourse supporter Bernard Hunter was founded in 1946 and is synonymous with mobile crane hire and metal recycling, employing around 60 staff in Leith, Danderhall and at its Gilmerton headquarters.
One of the firm’s new 60-ton cranes will be on display at the East Lothian track on Friday (29 July) as the family-run business, led by chairman Jim Rafferty and managing director Mark Rafferty, welcome guests to celebrate the landmark birthday.
Mark Rafferty said: “We have been corporate sponsors at Musselburgh since 2007 where we have sponsored certain races and its always a great day out, and we were delighted to sponsor the popular Friday Night at the Races to mark this special occasion.”
The competitive six race meeting includes the Bernard Hunter Mobile Crane’s nursery handicap five furlong dash and the seven furlong Bernard Hunter 75th Anniversary Race, with gates open at 4.30pm and first race off at 6.10pm.
Musselburgh Racecourse marketing manager, Aisling Johnston, said: “With the weather forecast looking like it will be a warm sunny evening what better way to kick star the weekend out in the open air and enjoying the thrill of Flat racing on the coast.
“Bernard Hunter have been a great supporter of Musselburgh Racecourse and we are delighted they have chosen to celebrate a special birthday here on Friday. With Radio Forth’s Boogie in the Morning and Funkwagen providing the entertainment after racing, we are sure it will be a night to remember.”
Racegoers with valid concession ID can take advantage of a special £15 gate admission ticket, and anyone booking in advance can save £5 on the raceday £25 admission price.
As with all Musselburgh race meetings, children aged 17 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Musselburgh Racecourse have got it licked at their next race meeting where they will be giving away a free ice cream to every child.
Teaming up with legendary Honest Toun ice cream maker, S Luca, the East Lothian course’s Luca’s Ice Cream Family Day on Tuesday 19 July has something for kids of all ages.
The afternoon gets underway with the always popular pony racing taking place on the home straight in front of the grandstand, approximately one hour before racing gets underway, and setting the tone for an exciting family day out.
Adding to the high summer festivities, Forth 1 breakfast king Boogie in the Morning will host a children’s disco during the afternoon.
With free fairground rides and free face painting keeping the kids fully entertained, adults can enjoy the thrill of the Flat with seven competitive races kicking off at 1.50pm.
As with all Musselburgh race meetings, children aged 17 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult, and once inside the racecourse all children’s entertainment is free.
S Luca has been selling ice cream in Musselburgh since 1908 and it is still made to an old family recipe using locally sourced milk, butter and double cream.
The company founder, Luca Scappaticcio, originally from Cassino between Rome and Naples, learned the art of ice cream making from a Swiss chef when he worked in the kitchens of the North British Hotel on Princes Street in the early part of last century.
Today, still run by family members, S Luca sell their ice cream from what is possibly the world’s only Rolls Royce ice cream van – which was built in 1923 for the Marquis De San Miguel and purchased by Luca Scappaticcio in 1937 and converted for commercial use.
Aisling Johnston, Musselburgh Racecourse’s commercial manager, said: “With the support of Luca, we are dishing up their delicious ice cream free to all kids, while legendary radio presenter Boogie is in charge of the music and dancing.
“Before the racing gets underway we also have pony racing and other entertainments during the day, including fairground rides and face painting, are all free. For mums and dads, grans and grandads and all other family members, the first of our seven Flat races is off just before 2pm.
“It promises to be a fantastic day out and there are a wide range of food and drink options available for all budgets and to satisfy all tastes.”
Gates open at noon on Tuesday 19 July, the first race is at 1.50pm and the last race is at 5.15pm.
Specially designed Racing With Pride jockey silks appeared for the first time at a Scottish racecourse yesterday as Musselburgh celebrates Pride Month.
Leading racehorse owner, Gerry McGladery, swapped his normal blue and yellow colours for the distinctive Pride colours for all his horses competing at the Racing TV raceday (Mon 27 June) at the East Lothian track, as will The Musselburgh Lunch Club syndicate.
The silks were created by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to increase visibility of LGBT+ support within racing and after a public vote the winning design was brought to life by racing silks supplier Allertons.
Musselburgh will also fly the Pride flag from its historic grandstand this week, racecourse staff will wear Pride ribbons, and promotional activity around the course will mark the global event held each June to mark the 1969 Stonewall riots in the US which changed gay rights history.
The racecourse is also marking its support for the LGBT+ community with two specially named races – The Musselburgh Racecourse Celebrates Pride 2022 race over five furlongs, which took place last night, and again on Wednesday over 1m 1f at 3.50pm.
Musselburgh also received a vote of confidence as an LGBT+ welcoming venue from Edinburgh hairdresser Leo Gourlay who attended a recent race meeting.
Leo said: “I was really anxious, as a flamboyant gay man, to go racing for the first time. Being a member of the LGBT+ community I was really apprehensive before I got to Musselburgh Racecourse and going into such a traditional sporting environment.
“The whole racecourse staff, especially Jane Walker, were very gracious and welcoming. They made the whole race day enjoyable and inclusive and I will definitely be back.”
Musselburgh Racecourse Senior Operations and Commercial Manager, Sarah Montgomery said: “We are delighted to hear that Leo enjoyed his first experience at Musselburgh and look forward to welcoming him back. We also really appreciate the support of Gerry McGladery in helping us to celebrate Pride Month with his adoption of the Racing With Pride silks for his runners.
“Our aim is to be a fully inclusive, friendly and accessible racecourse and it is only right that we take these symbolic but important steps in recognising and supporting the LGBT+ community during Pride Month. We fully support Racing With Pride and hope the community get a taste for the joy of racing during Pride Month and become frequent visitors to Musselburgh.”
The BHA has been a long-time supporter of diversity in the industry and in 2020 launched Racing With Pride, the official LGBT+ network for British racing.
The network is designed for British racing’s participants, workforce and fans who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other sexual orientations and gender identities as well as allies of the LGBT+ community, who want to demonstrate their support, regardless of their own identity.
The network offers a safe space for LGBT+ people and allies to meet, receive support, have fun and enjoy racing online and in person and promotes a better understanding of LGBT+ inclusion to ensure racing is everyone’s sport, encouraging all to step up as allies.
Gates open at noon tomorrow (Wedneday) and the first race is off at 1.40pm.
Musselburgh Racecourse has partnered with the beauty team at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh and upmarket Food Hall Bonnie & Wild to offer a unique raceday package for Stobo Castle Ladies Day on Friday 5 August.
As part of the luxury package, the beauty experts from Harvey Nichols will be offering appointments from 8:30am until 11:30am and encouraging customers to indulge as they get raceday ready with a full-face makeover.
Additional fragrance consultations, skincare treatments and hand and arm massages will also be available on the day. Prestigious beauty brands including Armani Beauty, Estée Lauder, Dior, Fenty Beauty, Hourglass, Laura Mercier, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Pixi Beauty, Tom Ford and Yves Saint Laurent will be present and on hand to pamper guests at the event.
The beauty appointments will be followed by a delicious brunch from Bonnie & Wild, which will include a tailor-made mocktail on arrival and a selection of delectable dishes from the sophisticated Food Hall, and finished off with a glass of Prosecco to raise a toast to Ladies Day.
Aisling Johnston, Commercial Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “It’s great to be working with two renowned Edinburgh-based businesses to create this unique package for this year’s Ladies Day.
“It’s going to be a big occasion for people and so we felt it was nice to offer something that will make people feel their best ahead of a great day at the races.”
Tickets cost £132 and will include a 45-minute beauty appointment with a makeup artist from Harvey Nichols Edinburgh, the Prosecco brunch from Bonnie & Wild, transport to and from Musselburgh Racecourse, and a Raceday ticket to Stobo Castle Ladies Day.
Kate Russell, General Manager at Bonnie & Wild, added “Ladies Day is an important day in the Edinburgh calendar and all of us at Bonnie & Wild are delighted to be welcoming racegoers along before the festivities begin.
“I’m sure they’ll love the bespoke mocktails and beautiful brunch dishes we’ll have available for them, and all topped off by a glass of beautiful bubbly. A perfect start for a day at the races.”
The Bonnie & Wild Bar will offer a full range of alcoholic drinks from 11am (soft drinks and other refreshments will be available all morning), before guests are transported to Musselburgh Racecourse in style to enjoy all the glamour of Stobo Castle Ladies Day.
Two renowned East Lothian businesses are working together to offer more people in the local community who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis an opportunity to enjoy a fun day out.
Musselburgh Racecourse is partnering with S.Luca to offer racegoers a discounted meal when they purchase a concession ticket at the racecourse over the next three months.
Anyone who purchases a concession ticket will be able to present this at the Musselburgh branch of S. Luca to get a 10% off their meal. S. Luca is also offering a free ice cream for all kids who attend the races over this Jubilee weekend.
Concession tickets will be reduced to £15 over both days of the Jubilee weekend, saving £15 on Saturday and £10.00 on Sunday. This discount will continue over the next three months except for Ladies Day in August. All Saturday 4th June concession racegoers will receive a complimentary concession ticket to Sunday 5th June.
Bill Farnsworth, General Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “In a bid to help the local community during this difficult period, we were keen to partner with our friends at S.Luca to provide an offer over the summer that would help as many people locally get access to a fun day out.
“We hope this offer over the next three months allows more people, particularly those who have been hit the hardest to come along and enjoy their day at the races with a delicious meal at the end of it.”
Jane McGhie at S.Luca, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Musselburgh Racecourse to offer discount to those who are going along to the races this summer. We want to do everything we can to keep costs down for people at a time when prices are high across the most basic amenities.”
The concession ticket (£15 on all days except for Ladies Day) offer will continue for three months (finish end of August) and can only be purchased at the gate on race day with a form of valid ID.
