HORSE RACING
Punters returned to Ayr Racecourse for the first time in more than a year last Wednesday as the track enjoyed a milestone moment on its route out of lockdown.
A total of 250 racegoers were granted access to the sell-out event which acted as the first ticketed raceday since the outbreak of Covid last year.
Fans sampled a different experience on course with table service for bars and social distancing was kept in place.
But the action on track remained the same as ever, with some of the North’s top trainer and jockey combinations out in force.
And for those lucky enough to be the first through the gates, a return to the action was well overdue.
Punter Euan Ross, 36, said: “It’s just great to be back on a racecourse.
“Nothing beats the atmosphere of the paddock and seeing the horses up close before and after racing.
“Ayr is a great track and whether there’s 250 or 2,500 in here. It’s just fantastic to be back sampling the real thing.”
Fellow racegoers Moira and Dougie Stewart, from Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, were among those who jumped at the chance to be among Ayr’s first fans.
Moira, 65, said: “I love the course and the Western House Hotel.
“Today was my first pint in the last year and our last race meeting was the Cheltenham Festival in 2020 – so it’s just great to be back to something like normal!”
Husband Dougie, 67, added: “We come down to Ayr whenever we can...it reminds me of Haydock in that it’s a lovely wide open track.
“It’s been a long year without attending the racing so we’re absolutely delighted to be back.”
Racecourse head of PR Iain Ferguson told the Post: “It was another step along the way to normality being able to welcome 250 racegoers in addition to our members.
“The atmosphere was good and of course the fine weather helped greatly.
“We must thank our attendees for adhering to the strict Covid rules and staying seated while consuming food or alcohol.
“We look forward to hopefully getting bigger crowds as the summer progresses.”
Ayr were due to race again last night (Tuesday).