Racecourse Raring to Go

The 2018 season at Perth Racecourse gets underway at the end of this month, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before!

The opening Perth Festival fixture takes place over three days from the 25^th to 27^th April and as always it will start the season off in true Perth Racecourse party style. There is record prize money on offer and on day two of the festival, the prize pot will top £100,000 for the first time in the racecourse’s history – meaning it’s sure to attract the top names from UK and Irish racing.

The feature race of the Perth Festival as always is the Highland National and it’s a race that Scottish trainers have a good history in. With £25,000 on offer to the winner it’s sure to be as keenly contested as ever. This year’s festival will also see the richest race ever run at Perth – the brand new Fair Maid of Perth Chase – worth £35,000 to the victor!

After the final race on Friday 27^th, Radio One DJ Nick Grimshaw will entertain the crowd with a 90 minute set sending the racegoers into the city centre in full party mood.

There are 15 fantastic fixtures throughout 2018 and the one that is marked in most people’s diaries is the annual Totepool Ladies Day taking place on Thursday 17^th May. With a £2,000 cash prize on offer to this year’s Grand Lady, as well as a number of other prizes on offer, make sure you’re dressed in your finest clothes to dazzle the judges.

GALLERY

In what is one of the busiest days on the Perth calendar, the Ladies Day crowd is in for a treat this year with the fantastic Lovely Laura and Ben Santiago performing after the final race, ensuring that the party will continue well after the final horse has crossed the line.

The prestigious Perth Gold Cup fixture takes place in June and as always the feature race will attract some of the finest horses, jockeys and trainers from across the UK and Ireland. This year’s winner of the Gold Cup will scoop £30,000 in prize money and the first weekend fixture of the year will provide a tremendous atmosphere on Sunday 3^rd June.

And, following last year’s sell-out Saturday, Perth Racecourse has introduced a brand new fixture for 2018. On 23^rd June the crowds will descend on Scone for this brand new Saturday fixture and you’ll need to get your tickets early to make sure you’re not disappointed!

The traditional Family Race Day will be staged once again on Sunday 15^th July and as always the Centre Course will be open with lots of fun activities for the little ones to enjoy while you have a few drinks in the Sports Bar and have a flutter on the races.

Last year’s sell-out Summer Carnival returns in 2018 on Saturday 18^th August and tickets are expected to go extremely quickly for what has been the most popular race day at Perth in recent years. Make the most of the summer weather and have a picnic or BBQ in the Centre Course area, or enjoy the racing from the packed Grandstand with an ice-cold, refreshing Pimm’s. Excitement here at Perth is already sky high ahead of the 2018 season with a real focus on track action and achieving the best possible spectacle for racegoers.

The oldest fixture at Perth will be staged at the end of the year as always – the Glorious Finale! First run back in 1908, traditionally racegoers arrive in their finest tweeds to celebrate another fantastic year at Perth Racecourse.

Speaking ahead of this year’s racing Hazel Peplinski, chief executive at Perth Racecourse, is looking forward to welcoming in the crowds for all 15 fixtures.

“Excitement here at Perth is already sky high ahead of the 2018 season,” Hazel said, “with a real focus on track action and achieving the best possible spectacle for racegoers.

“Our three-day Perth Festival is packed with highlights such as our first listed race on the Wednesday, our richest ever card worth £103,000 on the Thursday and our new and richest race of the season on Friday. Not to mention Nick Grimshaw on stage!

“It’s a cracking way to start the season and there’s so much more to look forward to beyond that as well. We’ve been working hard to put in place the strongest possible offering for owners and trainers, and we’re excited by the conversations and feedback we’ve enjoyed so far this year.

“Let’s hope our record prize money is matched by their support and record-levels of excitement and fun!”

Gearing up for what is expected to be a record season at Perth, advance ticket sales are up 68% on last year, with the Perth Festival Friday featuring Nick Grimshaw up a staggering 138% in comparison to 2017 sales.

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To purchase tickets and for more information on the season ahead, visit the Perth Racecourse website or follow their social media channels below.

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 Images by local freelance photographer, Fraser Band.