New Weigh room at Musselburgh 13th April 2025
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723
Musselburgh Racecourse has invested £240,000 to upgrade its jockey’s weighing room into one of the most modern in UK racing.
A weighing room is regarded as one of the most important areas on a racecourse and is best known as the place where jockeys prepare for competition and relax between races but also acts as the hub of operations for raceday officials, valets, racecourse teams and medical staff.
The sports governing body, the British Horseracing Authority, is supporting a £40 million-plus project to modernise all 60 UK racecourses and Musselburgh is the latest to comply with measures to enhance the raceday experience of elite jockeys.
The upgrade provides the jockeys who compete at Musselburgh each year with first-class changing and shower facilities, a larger warm-up room and physio facilities alongside an improved canteen area.
New Weigh room at Musselburgh 13th April 2025
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723
Musselburgh Racecourse director, Bill Farnsworth, said: “We are grateful for the support of Chester Race Company who have made this significant investment to transform our weighing room into one of the most modern in the country.
“It was not without its challenges in agreeing a design within a limited footprint, but the feedback from jockeys and officials has been overwhelming positive and we are pleased with the result.”
Professional Jockeys Association Racing Director, Dale Gibson, added: “On behalf of our members under both codes, we applaud the team at Musselburgh who have facilitated an impressive upgrade, providing equal facilities and services for both sexes.
“The venue upgrade includes an improved rest area, gender-neutral valet room, modernised changing rooms and dedicated warm up area.
“The updated facilities were very well received by our jumps members recently so a big thank you to Musselburgh and the team is very much in order.”
Increased prize money, record attendances at its New Year’s Day and Edinburgh Cup meetings, and a boost in hospitality guests underlined a successful 2024 for Musselburgh Racecourse.
An annual report on the East Lothian track’s performance showed prize money at the East Lothian course totalled £2,429,600 – up by 6.3% on the previous year – and an 14.6% increase on prize money in 2022.
Musselburgh also attracted more hospitality guests – 3,938 last year compared to 3,587 in 2023 – and Annual Membership grew by 16% from 263 in 2023 to 306 in 2024.
The racecourse would have recorded an increase in total attendance for the year if it had not been forced to abandon its hugely popular Easter Saturday fixture due to weather and which usually attracts a 5,000 strong crowd.
With two less meetings run in 2024 (25) compared to 2023 (27), total attendance was a healthy 58,744, down from 60,294 in 2023, but average attendance at meetings run was up from 2,319 to 2,448.
Across its premium race days, Musselburgh enjoyed significant crowd increases with a 11.5% jump and an extra 653 racegoers on New Year’s Day (6,289 compared to 5,636 in 2023) and almost a 20% boost at the Edinburgh Cup fixture (5,966 compared to 5,048 in 2023).
Musselburgh’s annual Friday Night at the Races fixture in early August enjoyed it’s largest crowd to date of 4,375, while Ladies Day was an 8,000 capacity sell-out – an increase of almost 600 on the previous year – and the 20th year in succession that Ladies Day has sold out.
A new Oktoberfest themed race day in September was a huge hit with racegoers and compared to the 2023 meeting held on the same date there as a 1,600 bump in attendance.
Aisling Johnston, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “The figures show a strong performance with significant increases in attendance at our key meetings and it could have been even better if we had not lost our Easter Saturday meeting, which was very disappointing.
“Our ground staff worked exceptionally hard in 2024, often in adverse conditions, to keep the track and facilities in tip-top condition, and the commercial team achieved outstanding results by increasing like-for-like attendances, which bucked the national trend.
“With family budgets under pressure and lots of competing sporting and entertainment options, we are constantly upping our game to ensure that Musselburgh Racecourse remains a compelling offering for those looking for an exciting and enjoyable day, afternoon or evening out.”
Seventeen runners including two previous champions will battle it out in Musselburgh Racecourse’s Famous Corgi Derby on Easter Saturday.
A competitive canine field will set off over a lengthy 70 metres – lengthy for their short legs – with tennis coach and former Strictly Come Dancing star Judy Murray on her toes and raising the starting flag.
All eyes will be on Rodney (no 8), the 2023 Champion Corgi, who is described by owners Matt Kendall and Nicole Whiteside as “always hungry, always smiling” and who likes to cheer on the horses as they roar past the winning post.
The 2022 champion, Georgie Rumbles (no 11), is also in the mix and while the four-year-old Welsh Corgi is said to be “full of lots of mischief” by owner Alison Rumbles, it remains to be seen if she can cause enough upset to reclaim the crown.
Local interest will be with Honest Toun entry Merlin (no 12), who can often be found patrolling the lagoons which sit next to the racecourse. A “shameless flirt”, owners Sam Benson and Andrew Marks will be hoping Merlin has the magic to take number one spot but say his biggest challenge will be “resisting telling off the other racers for having too much fun”.
Two entries who may benefit from a Chariot of Fire style training regime on St Andrew’s famous beaches are Teddy (no 1) and Tommy (no 2). When he is not having his belly rubbed and chasing cuddly toys, Welsh-born Teddy “has most fun running up and down the West Sands in St Andrew’s” said owner Will Lamond.
Number two entry Toffee, wearing appropriate brown colours, has a passion for chasing pigeons and also “loves to sprint on the beach at St Andrews”, when she is not toasting herself by the fire, according to owner Mia Anderson.
The poshest-named entry is North Yorkshire-based Chester Barkington (no 7) who wears red colours and “enjoys sampling foods of the land and diving into any water source”, claim owners Rhiannon Lister and Mike Kilroy.
A dark horse contender – er, dark dog! – could be number nine Nash who may well live up to her and sprint ahead of the pack. Owner Thomas Wilson from Gourock admits the five-year-old loves sleeping on the floor, on the couch and in her bed – but is also “a zoomy wee legend who is incredibly fast and always smiling”.
Betting fans can probably avoid losing a few quid by giving ominously numbered Pennybun (no 13) a wide berth. Owner Xander Elliards admits the two-and-a-half year old resembles the plump little mushroom after which she is named, and that despite intensive training with her long-suffering Golden Retriever sister Dilly-dally, “enthusiasm is guaranteed but Derby victory may be a long shot”.
Musselburgh Racecourse Head of Marketing and Business Development, Aisling Johnston, said: “Just like the equine entries in our seven Flat races on Virgin Bet Easter Saturday, our Famous Corgi Derby has attracted a top class field and leading trainers from all over the UK.
“It may be only 1/3 of a furlong in distance but our 17 corgis will be going to great lengths to be crowned Champion Corgi and racing and dog fans alike would be barking mad to miss out on this unique event.”
The Corgi Derby is off at noon and will be run in front of Musselburgh Racecourse’s historic grandstand.
Official starter Judy Murray will also be on hand to send off the Mini Queen’s Cup at 1pm with young children competing on Happy Hoppers for Easter prizes.
Families can also enjoy a dedicated kid’s Clip Clop zone featuring the return of the hugely popular Easter Bunny, free game stalls, free fairground rides for all ages and free face painting, with kids aged under 17 admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Musselburgh maintains it’s reputation for excellent street food and vendors with children’s options include Well Hung & Tender, The Chippy, Dog N Bon, Wicked Pizza and Dippin Doughnuts, while the racecourse’s own Pinkie’s Deli, Café 1816 and Harris Tweed Bistro all have kid’s packed lunch and meal offerings.
On the turf, a highly competitive seven-card fixture boasts prize money of almost £300,000, with the feature race the £100,000 Virgin Bet Queen’s Cup which is supported by Scotland’s fastest horse race, the £45,000 Virgin Bet Scottish Sprint Cup over a pacey five furlongs.
The After-Racing Party, open to all race goers, will be hosted by Forth One evening show host Callum Gallacher on the decks for one hour after the last race.
Gates open at 11.30am and the first and last races are scheduled for 1.50pm and 5.17pm, respectively. Book tickets before midnight on 18 April to save£6 per person. On the day price will be £38 per person.
Musselburgh Racecourse’s richest racing festival of the year in under Starter’s Orders with an impressive £430,000 on offer over the bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend.
On Saturday (1 February) with £230,000 in prize money on offer, the £100,000 bet365 Scottish Champion Chase takes centre stage at the six-card meeting.
And if the East Lothian course plays its cards right, the BHA have indicated that in time this 2m 4 furlong handicap chase could be elevated to Listed status alongside other Class 1 event the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle.
Scottish-owned The Kalooki Kid heads the betting in the Champion Chase (2.50pm). The Nicky Richards-trained gelding, who carries the colours of Kirkcaldy businessman Eddie Melville, has been raised 7lbs for an impressive strike at Doncaster in December.
Last year’s winner Corrigeen Rock defends his crown with Milnathort-based trainer Lucinda Russell also set to saddle Traprain Law. Minella Drama, trained by Donald McCain, is top-weight on a BHA mark of 150 while Marble Sands, the winner of last year’s Frodon Novices’ Chase, represents joint-trainers David Killahena and Graeme McPherson.
Paul Nicholls, who has a tremendous record at the Scottish Cheltenham Trials, is set to be to have runners from his Somerset stable on both days. The 14-time champion trainer is bidding for a hat-trick of wins in the opening race, the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle (1.42pm) and he relies on once-raced €135,000 purchase Nardaran, who is prominent in the market along with Maitre En Science, trained by his nephew and former assistant Harry Derham.
Nicholls, who last year enjoyed five winners over the two days at Musselburgh, could again be the one to beat in the bet365 Scottish County Hurdle with Afadil, a previous winner of the Scottish Triumph Hurdle, bidding to repeat his victory of twelve months ago. A wide-open race sees Dundee United director Jimmy Fyffe double-handed with Florida Dreams (Nicky Richards) and Maghlaak (Adrian Keatley).
Sunday’s feature race of a seven-card meeting with prize money totalling £200,000 is the £75,000 bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase over a marathon 3m 7f (2.25pm)
Top-weight King Turgeon could be an interesting runner for his West Country trainer David Pipe as his three wins in the autumn included a strike over the Grand National fences at Aintree. Last year’s hero Iris Oirr (Lucinda Russell) and Magna Sam (Alistair Ralph), the 2023 winner, are also among the entries.
Classy Flat recruit Wise Eagle, winner of the 2023 Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh, is a fascinating entry for the bet365 Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for Northumberland handler Adam Nicol.
In the bet365 Frodon Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (1.55pm), Benson, successful over hurdles at the track’s New Year’s Day meeting in 2023 and 2024, has been pencilled in by Borders trainer Sandy Thomson and he could be joined by Breizh River, trained by former jockey Paul Robson.
Musselburgh’s February racing festival is long established an important staging post for leading trainers looking to compete at the famous Cheltenham and Aintree festivals in the Spring and the coastal track has hosted some great prospects over the years, with many of the country’s top trainers happy to make the trip north to take on Scotland’s best home-trained horses.
With seven races screened lived on ITV, racecourse general manager Bill Farnsworth is delighted with the quality of runners. He said: “Each year we aim to attract the most progressive racehorses and the country’s leading trainers and this year’s bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials will not disappoint.
“The track is in excellent condition, we have no weather concerns with a forecast of dry and sunny spells, so the stage is set for an excellent weekend of first class national hunt racing. We hope racing fans will take advantage of the opportunity to get up close to the next generation of potential Cheltenham and Aintree champions.”
Gates open on Saturday at 11.30am with the first race scheduled for 1.42pm and Six Nations rugby fans will not miss out with the Scotland v Italy match screened in all bars. On Sunday gates also open at 11.30am with the first race scheduled for 1.22pm
Harness racing will return to Musselburgh Racecourse this year after a revised format was agreed between the British Harness Racing Club (BHRC), Musselburgh Racecourse Committee and East Lothian Council.
The one-day fixture on Saturday 14 June will feature the famous Musselburgh Pace – the most important race in the harness racing calendar – equivalent to the Epsom Derby in horseracing.
The BHRC is a member of the governing body of the International Trotting Association which consists of all the key countries staging the sport and includes the likes of France, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, where the sport enjoys the status of being a multi-million-dollar industry.
The Musselburgh fixture was the pinnacle of the harness racing calendar in the UK but it ended in 2022, partly because it clashed with Musselburgh’s sell-out Ladies Day meeting and it was also scheduled in middle of the track’s busy summer race season.
A reduction in the number of race meetings held at Musselburgh each year and moving Ladies Day to August has relieved pressure on the East Lothian facility, and a gap in the fixture list in June has provided an opportunity for a revival of the premier harness racing meeting.
BHRC director, Julie Park, said: “The British Harness Racing Club is pleased to see the return of harness racing to Musselburgh and would like to thank Musselburgh Racecourse, The Chester Race Company, Musselburgh Golf Club and the BHA for making this possible.
“The Musselburgh Meeting has a rich tradition and attracts the best pacers and trotters, with the Group 1 Famous Musselburgh Pace the flagship race.
“This has always been an integral part of the British harness racing year and traditionally the fixture attracts harness racing followers and competitors from all over the UK and Ireland.”
In the UK, there are approximately 500 licence holders involved in harness racing, with a great many depending on it for their livelihoods, and in addition there are many breeders and buyers investing in bloodstock
Previously, the event was mainly run by the racecourse management team but the new format will see the BHRC hire the racecourse and a special Committee set up by the BHRC will manage the event.
Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth, said: “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with the BHRC to welcome British harness racing’s most important event back to Musselburgh.
“With a less congested fixture list than in previous years, which reduces the pressures on our staff, the facilities and the track itself, the new one-day format is a solution which all parties will work towards making a success.”
As Musselburgh Racecourse launched its nine fixture winter jumps season last week, things are already looking good for a potential capacity crowd New Year’s Day celebration.
Back-to-back fixtures on Thursday and Friday 28-29 November heralded the start of the Jumps season at the popular East Lothian track.
And with strong ticket sales for the traditional Virgin Bet New Year’s Day meeting, boss Bill Farnsworth is confidently looking forward to a repeat 6,500 sell-out, with additional covered tented facilities being added in case the weather fails to keep its part of the deal.
With two races featured on ITV1, highlights of the 1 January meeting are the £40,000 Virgin Bet Auld Reekie Handicap Chase and the equally competitive £30,000 Virgin Bet Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle.
“We expect it will be another sell-out so the message is, if you want to welcome in 2025 in the most exciting fashion and plan to celebrate New Year with us at Musselburgh, buy your tickets in advance,” said general manager Farnsworth.
The premier attraction of Musselburgh’s jumps season is the February favourite – the two-day bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials Weekend on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February – which is an important staging post for leading trainers looking to compete at the famous Cheltenham and Aintree festivals in the Spring.
Musselburgh has hosted some great prospects over the years with many of the country’s top trainers happy to make the trip north to take on Scotland’s best home-trained horses. So much so that the BHA have signalled that the £100,000 bet365 Scottish Champion Chase, which is currently a Class 2 handicap chase, could be upgraded to a Class 1 event if it continues to perform so well.
Bill Farnsworth added: “It is one of the season’s best quality two-and-a-half mile handicap chases but it has to perform at that level for three consecutive years.
“It would be great to have that sitting alongside our other Grade 1 race over that weekend, the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle, and we will be doing our best over the next few seasons to make that a reality.
“With the £75,000 bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Race our feature race on the Sunday, we have again lined up a strong programme over two days which gives our race goers a genuine opportunity to get up close to future Cheltenham and Aintree champions.”
The Farmers Race Day on Sunday 16 February and the Go North Finals Race Day on Friday 21 March, which features four finals with £30,000 prize money for each, round off the National Hunt programme at Musselburgh.
Musselburgh Racecourse underlined its position as one of Scotland’s leading racecourses with an “exemplary” rating in four categories of a leading quality assurance scheme.
The East Lothian track received top tier rankings in the AA’s Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme, with an impressive overall score of 94.03% across all judged categories.
The AA’s Quality Assured Scheme has replaced the previous VisitScotland Quality Assured Scheme in which Musselburgh consistently achieved five star status each year.
The AA assessor found Musselburgh to be “exemplary” in four categories – Spotless and Sparkling, Staff Customer Services, Warmest Welcome and Taste of the Racecourses – Food.
The report said: “Musselburgh Racecourse is an appealing venue that offers regular racegoers, families, and casual visitors an excellent day out. The course is immaculately maintained, with a stunning coastal and countryside backdrop that creates an excellent first impression.”
The racecourse achieved a score of 94.4% in the general Racecourse assessment, 94.6% for its Catering, 95.2% for Bars, and an outstanding 98.8% for its Staff, which included customer care, efficiency and knowledge of the racecourse. In all other categories – Pre Arrival, Arrival & Departure, Cleanliness and Toilets, it was given a 90% approval rating.
The AA assessor said: “The staff at Musselburgh Racecourse play a significant role in creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience for visitors.
“From the moment visitors arrive, they are met with friendly and professional team members eager to assist and ensure everything runs smoothly throughout the visit. The level of customer service is impressive.
“The staff are approachable, polite, and well-informed about the races and the venue. Their warm and approachable nature makes visitors feel comfortable and well looked after. The hospitality staff, including those at the bars and restaurants, provide excellent service. They are attentive and ensure that food and drinks are served quickly and to a high standard.”
Musselburgh Racecourse Commercial & Operations Director, Sarah Montgomery, said: “The consistently high scoring across key categories underlines our commitment to giving race goers, owners and regular and casual visitors alike, an experience to remember when enjoying a day at the races at Musselburgh.
“The overall rating of 94% and 90% plus ratings across all categories in the AA’s Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme is the icing on the cake of another successful year for the racecourse.
“These ratings speak to the wonderful efforts of racecourse staff at all levels who pull together each and every race day to provide excellent service, value for money, and an enthusiasm which translates into a hard-to-beat visitor experience.
“We, of course, will take on board all of the AA’s recommendations and pointers to ensure we improve year on year and continue to perform at the highest level.”
Musselburgh Racecourse has consistently been recognised for the high standards it sets and in 2023 was named the UK’s Champion Racecourse in the industry-wide Racecourse Association’s Showcase Awards.
A Scottish racecourse is bringing a touch of Munich to Musselburgh in hosting its first Oktoberfest Raceday this month.
Bavarian beer steins will clink to the tunes of one of the UK’s top oompah bands at the raceday on Saturday 14 September, which also features seven top Flat races, including the Musselburgh Gold Cup.
Taking its lead from the famous Munich Oktoberfest, now in its 189th year and which runs from September into October, a Bavarian marquee will be the focal point for the East Lothian track’s festivities.
Stein holding and keg rolling competitions are planned and Oktoberfest themed street food vans will offer a range of bratwurst, pretzels and German beer, and following the last race the celebrations continue with an After Racing Party.
The Jager Maestros – a German Oompah Band – features seven of the country’s finest brass players and will get the afternoon underway with a mesmerising journey through Oktoberfest songs and games.
A past sell-out act at the Edinburgh Fringe, they are in demand at Oktoberfests throughout Europe and have been a hit with audiences across the UK.
The feature race of the day is the £20,000 Musselburgh Gold Cup over 2m 2f which is supported by six other competitive races, with the first contest provisionally timed for 4.10pm.
Musselburgh Racecourse Head of Marketing, Aisling Johnston, said: “Oktoberfest is a phenomenon and anyone who has been fortunate to visit Munich or other events will know how much fun they are.
“We wanted to introduce a taste of Munich to Musselburgh and our own Oktoberfest promises to be a brilliant afternoon and evening out as we finish off our summer season. We are encouraging racegoers to don their finest lederhosen – but it is not essential!”
Gates open on 14 September at 1.30pm and tickets bought in advance are reduced by £5 for a limited period.
Provisional first and last race times are 4:10pm and 7.20pm respectively.
Musselburgh Racecourse’s hugely popular Ladies Day is heading for an 8,000 capacity sell-out with fewer than 300 general admission tickets remaining.
Ladies Day, in partnership with Pommery Champagne, is one of Scotland’s most glamourous sporting and fashion events, and with luxury fashion prizes valued at more than £4,000 the Friday 9 August race day is the place to be.
This year’s style awards is sponsored by Tiger Lily Boutique and the “best dressed” top prize includes an invitation to visit Champagne Pommery in France – with the winner enjoying two nights at four-star hotel accommodation in Reims and £1,500 spending money.
The East Lothian course are delighted to welcome TV and radio personality, Rylan Clark, who will be behind the decks for the popular After Racing Party which is open to all Ladies Day ticket holders following the last race.
Musselburgh Racecourse marketing manager, Aisling Johnston, said: “The popularity of our five star Ladies Day meeting never wanes and we are confident that 2024 will be yet another sell-out.
“With only one table available in our VIP Marquee and less than 400 general admission tickets remaining, we are looking forward to a fantastic atmosphere and when the racing finishes, firm favourite Rylan will keep the party going.
“Around 50-100 tickets are sold each day so for anyone thinking of attending Ladies Day our advice would be to snap up a ticket now or risk being disappointed.”
Gates open on Friday 9 August at 11.30am, and provisional first and last race times are 2.20pm and 4.50pm.
One of Musselburgh Racecourse’s most popular family events returns on Tuesday (23 JUL) with the Luca’s Ice Cream Family Raceday.
On the turf seven competitive Flat races will keep the adults on their toes but off the track a whole host of fun activities will entertain younger family members.
Gates open at noon and one hour before the first race (provisionally scheduled for 2.15pm) the next generation of jockeys will compete in pony races, while a dedicated Clip Clop zone offers free fairground rides for all ages and free face painting.
Hosted with support of Honest Toun ice cream producer Luca, each child will receive a free ice cream – more than 1,200 were handed out last year.
The day will also feature the Mini Queen’s Cup which will see 5 year olds take to the track on happy hopper inflatables.
Musselburgh Racecourse’s Head of Marketing, Aisling Johnston, said: “We know the kids love to dance so we have organised a kid’s disco which will take place in between the racing throughout the day.
“For the pony loving children or those youngsters who want to try their hand at horse riding, we will also have free pony rides.”
Two of Australia’s favourite furry TV pups will also make a popular return to the East Lothian track to say “g’day” to young racegoers.
Aisling added: “Luca’s Ice Cream have kindly donated one free ice cream per child, and with free entry for children aged 17 years and under when accompanied by an adult, it really is the perfect day out for all the family.”
Gates open at noon on Tuesday, first race is scheduled for 2.15pm and the last race at 5.20pm. A courtesy bus from Wallyford and Newcraighall rail stations will take racegoers to and from the racecourse.
