Tag: Musselburgh Racecourse

Sprinters in the starting blocks for revived ‘mane’ event

Athletes relish challenge as historic New Year’s Day race event makes its return

New Years day Races 010118 Picture: Alan Rennie

ATHLETES will compete in one of Scotland’s oldest sporting competitions as it makes a highly-anticipated return to its traditional place in the sporting calendar.

The annual sprint at Musselburgh Racecourse is now in its 154th year, but the pandemic forced it out of its New Year’s Day slot where it has been a popular annual fixture since 1999.

However, the first day of 2023 will see the New Year Sprint return to Musselburgh, as it welcomes athletes to compete in a 110m race with the winner receiving a top prize of £3,500.

It has been a top event on the open athlete sporting calendar since the 1870s, but was forced to take place mid-summer in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the Covid pandemic.

Now, finalists will be shortlisted after a day of heats on 30 December at Meadowbank Sports Centre, before the main event at Musselburgh Racecourse’s New Year’s Day Meeting supported by Fitzdares (1 January).

Since the sprint has been held at Musselburgh it has been a huge attraction for the venue, which is typically packed with race-goers for the New Year’s Day horse racing fixture.

Frank Hanlon, promoter of the New Year Sprint, said: “During its long history, the ‘Sprint’ has produced many top-class competitors and this year is no different. Its even more special as the event returns to Musselburgh Racecourse after a two-year break.

“For this event, a handicap starting system has been designed to ensure that any runner, no matter what their ability, age or gender, has a chance of scooping the big first prize.

“We’re looking forward to getting the heats underway and uncovering who will be competing in this year’s main event.”

The sprint final will be televised as part of ITV’s racing coverage of the day’s events, with runners taking place on the outer horse racing circuit used for flat racing, in front of the crowds gathered at the Grand Stand.

The Highland Fling marquee will host entertainment from ‘The Funkwagen’, a Volkswagen campervan which has been converted to include DJ decks – with racegoers able to enjoy many other entertainment options, including a wide range of bars and street food outlets.

Aisling Johnston, Commercial Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse said: “After two years without the New Year Sprint, it is hugely exciting to get it back in front of a roaring crowd.

“The course is in fantastic condition for both horse and human racing and its set to kick off the New Year with a bang.”

The racecourse is also laying on a fleet of “first footer” ticketed buses from Penicuik, Dalkeith, Galashiels, Gorebridge, Dunbar, Haddington and Edinburgh which will ferry revellers to and from the East Lothian venue, which is a VisitScotland 5-star visitor attraction.

Advanced Adult tickets currently cost £40 – book before midnight 31st December to save £5 per person – on the day, will cost £45. Children 17 years and under go free

A timetable for the full New Year’s Day Sprint programme is available here:  

http://www.sportingworld.co.uk/newyearsprint/index.html

For further information and to book tickets for the final now, visit: 

https://www.musselburgh-

racecourse.co.uk/tickets/new-years-day-1-1-23

Musselburgh on home straight with final two race meetings of 2022

Musselburgh Racecourse will see out 2022 with two Christmas racedays on Mondays 5 and 19 December before preparing for an expected sell-out occasion on New Year’s Day.

The Festive Jumps meeting on Monday (5 December) is an £80,000 seven race card with the feature race the two-mile Everyrace Live on Racing TV juvenile hurdle, supported by a £15,000 three mile handicap hurdle.

Members of the neighbouring Elite Loretto Choir will get racegoers into the festive spirt with a selection of seasonal tunes and representatives from the East Lothian Foodbank (ELF) will be at the racecourse to raise funds.

Supported by the Trussell Trust, ELF are working to provide Christmas boxes for local families to ensure they have the ingredients to enjoy a festive meal. As part of a continued partnership with ELF, the racecourse will provide a free adult ticket to the race meeting on Tuesday 3January for all recipients living in the Musselburgh area.

The £50,000 Christmas Jumper Race Day on 19 December is another seven race card with the feature race the £10,000 Watch on Racing TV novice handicap chase over 2 miles 4 furlongs. Musselburgh staff will be wearing Christmas jumpers and are encouraging race goers to do the same, with prizes for the best festive jumpers.

Aisling Johnston, Musselburgh Racecourse marketing manager, said: “Monday racing in the run up to Christmas can be a nice escape from the frenzy of city centre shopping, but we will be doing our bit to spread good cheer and to get race goers in to the festive spirit.

“We are happy to welcome again East Lothian Food Bank and to support them supporting local families, and we are delighted that the talented choir from neighbouring Loretto School will be here on 5 December.

“At our meeting on 19 December we are hoping to see lots of race goers sporting Christmas jumpers at what will be our last race day of 2022 before we prep for the big meeting on New Year’s Day.”

Gates open on both days at 11am and general admission tickets priced £20 can be purchased online by visiting www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Musselburgh Racecourse kicks off jumps season with new race in honour of the late Duke of Edinburgh

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:

www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Marvellous Musselburgh Gold Cup seeks Superheroes

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.

For a full range of ticket information please visit https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/tickets/afternoon-meeting-11-09-22

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

Musselburgh Racecourse Stobo Castle Ladies Day crowns winners of The Style Awards 2022

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.

Crane specialist Bernard Hunter gets a lift at Musselburgh’s Friday Night at the Races

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.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Racecourse has it licked with free ice cream at Luca’s Ice Cream Family Day

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.

For more information and to book tickets visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Musselburgh Racecourse announces Vogue Williams as celebrity DJ for Stobo Castle Ladies Day

Scotland’s biggest and most prestigious 5-star Ladies Day – Musselburgh Racecourse Stobo Castle Ladies Day is back on Friday 5th August.

The organisers are delighted to announce that Vogue Williams will headline the exciting after-racing party. The TV presenter, model and DJ will entertain the crowds by taking to the decks to keep the party going, following the last race at the East Lothian track on Friday 5 August 2022, an annual sell-out event, famed for its atmosphere.

Musselburgh Racecourse Commercial Manager, Aisling Johnston, said: “We’re delighted Vogue Williams will join us this summer for Stobo Castle Ladies Day, as it’s always our most glamorous event of the year.

“This year we are expecting the raceday to be one of the biggest fashion extravaganzas that Scotland has seen in a long while, and everyone is welcome not just the ladies! Ladies Day is always a jam-packed day of first-class racing, great food, and entertainment and of course our infamous after-party where Vogue will now be DJ’ing!”

Vogue Williams said: “I’m thrilled to play at the after-racing party at Stobo Castle Ladies Day at Musselburgh Racecourse, one of the biggest parties of the year! I absolutely love Scotland having spent my university days there. I can’t wait to visit, calling in on family, and to see all the thousands of racegoers getting dressed up once again!”

The annual sell out event will see a new Style competition launch, thrilling horse racing and first-class entertainment. This year’s glamorous summer racing event will celebrate the changing styles of Ladies Day past and present, a theme that will be part of the entertainment throughout the day.

The Style Awards will be the new fashion competition for this year and the judges, including leading Scottish stylist Eva Arrighi, will be looking for style, elegance, and individuality. This year’s event will also welcome back the Best Hat Awards too.

Ladies Day at Musselburgh Racecourse is always alight with an electric party atmosphere like no other. Accompanying Vogue Williams, former Miss Scotland, Jennifer Reoch, will host this year’s Stobo Castle Ladies Day on the main stage.

Hospitality packages for Ladies Day are already sold out but there are still lots of ticket options available including the beautifully decorated Picnic Pavilion marquee, located alongside the running rail. With a prime position for viewing, the picnic pavilion has its own dedicated bar, betting facilities and private washrooms.

Ladies Day is an annual sell-out event, and tickets are selling fast, so book now to avoid disappointment https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/view-fixture/stobo-castle-ladies-day-2022  

Musselburgh Racecourse partners with Harvey Nichols and Bonnie & Wild for Stobo Castle Ladies Day

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.

Richard Morris, General Manager at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh, said: “Our beauty experts will be primed and ready with an amazing range of brands we carry in store to help people get ready for the exciting day ahead.”

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.

Book your tickets here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/355103342657

To find out more about Stobo Castle Ladies Day please visit:

https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/view-fixture/stobo-castle-ladies-day-2022   

Musselburgh Racecourse and S.Luca partnership offers discount to local community

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.