Ayr Gold Cup receives top ITV billing
The Ayr Gold Cup, Scotland’s most famous and prestigious flat race, is to be shown live on ITV 1 on Saturday September 19 – the first time the iconic sprint has been on the main platform since ITV Racing took over coverage of the sport in 2017.
In addition three other races from the feature day of the Ayr Gold Cup Festival will be screened live, including Scotland’s only group race the Firth Of Clyde Stakes and the Doonside Cup Listed race, which moves back to the Saturday this year after being run on the opening day of the meeting for several years.
Previously the Gold Cup and supporting races have been screened on ITV 4 but the move to the main channel will mean the action will reach a larger television audience.
The move also means Scotland’s biggest Flat meeting joins the country’s premier jumps fixture, the Coral Scottish Grand National on ITV 1 where in April 2019 a record 1.2 million viewers tuned in to view the famous race.
Welcoming the news of the switch to ITV 1, Ayr Racecourse managing director David Brown said: ‘This is exciting news and I am delighted that Scotland’s biggest and best day’s Flat racing will now have four of its top races shown on ITV’s main channel, which has a huge audience reach and provides sponsors with a perfect opportunity to promote their brand .
‘We know from experience how popular the Coral Scottish Grand National has proved on ITV 1 and I am certain this success will be replicated by the Gold Cup as it switches channels. ITV has proved time and time again since taking over coverage of British racing that they provide the perfect showcase for the sport with their top presenters headed by Ed Chamberlin providing an interesting and informative approach to racing.’
Ayr hopes to be able to host a small crowd at the racecourse on the day for the event.