Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup – Ayr Racecourse – Thursday 18 – Saturday 20 September
September 18 - September 20
The most prestigious Flat meeting in Scotland and one of the most popular in the whole racing calendar, which attracts racegoers from far and near.
Ayr is renowned for its warm and friendly atmosphere, and its popularity with trainers and owners ensures that the racing is always competitive.
The six-furlong Ayr Gold Cup, the feature race of the three-day meeting, is one of the season’s most sought-after sprint handicaps.
The huge number of entries for the Gold Cup has spawned the Silver Cup, for those horses which fail to make the cut for the main event. Run on the Friday over the same distance, the Silver Cup is now a major prize in its own right and just as competitive as its big brother.
A highlight of the first day is the Shadwell Harry Rosebery Stakes, a five-furlong race for two-year-olds, which is another highly prized event for the region’s trainers.
The Gold Cup draws a big crowd on the Saturday, producing a wonderful atmosphere, but the whole week is a major social event, with many visitors taking the opportunity to combine the racing with golf or other relaxation along the marvellous west coast of Scotland.