Ayr Racecourse Guide

Ayr is Scotland’s premier racecourse and home to the biggest races north of the border. It is Scotland’s only Grade 1 track and attracts thousands of racing fans throughout the year. Just like with all races, at Bet UK’s online betting you can get the latest horse racing betting odds for all meetings and races at Ayr racecourse. Over at our sports blog, we’ll be bringing you the latest Ayr racing betting tips for all major meetings.

Where is Ayr Racecourse?

Ayr racecourse is located just outside of the town of Ayr, in the south west of Scotland. Racing at Ayr dates back to 1576, but the races as we know it today have taken place since 1907. Since opening in 1907, Ayr’s reputation has steadily grown bigger and now hosts the 2 biggest meetings in Scotland. Ayr is one of the few courses that can boast big meetings in both the flat and jumps seasons, making it one of the best all year round tracks in the UK.

How To Get To Ayr Races

Driving to Ayr Racecourse

Regardless of where you are driving from, the easiest way to get to Ayr is to initially follow signs to Glasgow. Ayr is about 40 miles southwest of Glasgow, so as you approach Glasgow on the A74, leave at junction 12 and head along the A70 towards Ayr. After just over 10 miles on the A70, turn right onto the B74. Another 10 miles down the road, head straight over the roundabout to join the A719, which will take you directly to the races.

Car Parking at Ayr Racecourse

Car parking is free to all racegoers at Ayr and there is plenty of space available at the course. However for the bigger meetings at Ayr, it is recommended to turn up early if you want to guarantee yourself a space. There are 2 public car parks, one just outside the racecourse and one in the centre of the track, but both will be clearly signposted on the approach.

Getting The Train To Ayr Racecourse

Ayr train station is in close proximity to the racecourse and is also one of the most accessible stations in Scotland. Depending on where you are, you may have to get to Ayr via Edinburgh or Glasgow, but that should only add an extra hour onto your journey at the most. Once you arrive at the station in Ayr, head out of the main entrance and turn left onto Station Road. Cross the bridge over the River Ayr, before carrying on to walk along Craigie Road. Turn right at the end of the road and you’ll be able to see the main entrance to the races.

What Is The Track Like At Ayr?

When the races opened at Ayr in 1907, plans for the track took heavy inspiration from Newbury and there are clear similarities between the two courses. The track is left handed throughout and is a pretty fair track, with no major uphill or downhill sections. The 6f straight is fairly even throughout, with a slight downhill to start and a small incline on the final stretch. Races are typically ran at that shorter distance, although there are a few occasions when races can get to over 2f. The final stretch is very wide and can accommodate 28 horses side by side, so there's always a potential for a photo finish.

Racing Meetings at Ayr

There’s 2 major meetings that call Ayr their home: April’s Scottish Grand National and September’s Ayr Gold Cup meeting. As the name suggests, the Scottish Grand National is the pinnacle of Scottish horse racing and carries just as much weight as it’s English namesake. The Ayr Gold Cup is another big meeting that always attracts both local and national attention. In late September each year, horses and jockeys head to Ayr for 3 days of racing, ending with the headline Gold Cup on Saturday.

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