Thursday 17 September 2026
5:01 'Tennent's Lager Handicap' at Ayr
Spirit of Acklam
5yo b g Cracksman - Zacchera
Owned by: Amity Finance Racing
Jockey: Joanna Mason

Ayr

grass Good to Soft
rainy Chance of showers 		directions


Stables: The Races At Ayr Racecourse, 55 Whitletts Rd, Ayr KA8 0JE

 Ayr Racecourse is Scotland's premier dual‑purpose track, hosting both Flat and National Hunt racing and tracing its origins back to 1576. The first formally organised meeting took place in 1771 at the old Seafield course, where the Ayr Gold Cup was first run in 1804. The Western Meeting was established in 1824 and quickly became one of Britain’s richest fixtures, with its two‑year‑old race the most valuable of the season by 1838. The Ayr Gold Cup became a handicap in 1855 and is now the richest sprint handicap in Europe.

The original Seafield track was only a mile round with sharp bends, and by the early 20th century it could no longer accommodate the growing meeting. After studying other British courses, the Western Meeting Club relocated to the current Craigie site in 1907, modelling the new layout on Newbury but with a six‑furlong straight rather than a mile. The old course remains as public playing fields and part of Seafield golf course.

A jumps course was added in 1950, and in 1966 the Scottish Grand National moved to Ayr following the closure of Bogside. This cemented Ayr's status as Scotland's leading jumps venue. Today the Scottish Grand National Festival each April draws more than 20,000 spectators, while the Ayr Gold Cup meeting each September is one of the most competitive sprint fixtures of the Flat season.

The track is left‑handed, wide and galloping, with a long run‑in of more than five furlongs and a six‑furlong straight course. It is regarded as a fair test that suits strong‑staying horses and minimises traffic problems. Over jumps, the fences are considered fair but demand stamina.

 Ayr Racecourse
2-6 Whitletts
Ayr
Ayrshire
Scotland
KA8 0JE