Racecourse hosts SWI centenary afternoon tea

THE Scottish Women’s Institutes will take centre stage at Perth Racecourse this week as the organisation celebrates its 100th anniversary.

The racecourse will be hosting one of many commemorative afternoon teas planned up and down the country.

The organisation was formed in 1917 as the Scottish Rural Women’s Institutes, part of the movement of rural women’s institutes started in Canada.

The first meeting in Scotland took place at Longniddry in East Lothian.

Perth Racecourse chief executive Hazel Peplinski said: “We are absolutely delighted to play a part in the Scottish Women’s Institutes’ centenary celebrations, both by inviting them as guests tomorrow and hosting one of their magnificent afternoon tea events.

“I know many of the local Institute enjoy horse racing and the SWI ethos of connecting, sharing, teaching and meeting is one that Perth Racecourse can identify with.”

Today and tomorrow will see the Mackie’s of Scotland Summer Series take place, with 14 races over the two days.

Richard Johnson and the 2017 Cheltenham Festival champion trainer, Gordon Elliott, will headline the midweek action and be hoping for a repeat with last year’s winner Russian Regent leading the 11 entries for the £15,000 Lodge At Perth Racecourse Handicap Chase (for the Kilmany Cup) over three miles.

Also of note are three-time course scorer and 2015 Perth Gold Cup hero Kilbree Kid, trained by Tom George, and Cup Final, owned by JP McManus and trained by Ben Haslam.

Perth Racecourse is again participating in the Racing Stable Staff Week campaign, celebrating the unsung heroes of racing by recognising those behind the scenes who play a vital role in British horseracing.

Hazel Peplinski