Family fun at

Record turnout as organisers put on a day to remember

Glorious sunshine attracted record crowds to Perth Racecourse for yesterday’s annual family race day.

Almost 6,000 people travelled to the track to take in a day’s racing and take part in a number of children’s activities.

A team from Action Glen at Crieff Hydro were on hand to help out with activities as diverse as pony rides and bubble football.

Marketing manager Katy Webster said the family fun day, which has been held each year since 2006, was their most successful yet.

She said: “The pre-sales have been the biggest ever for our family day – we expected record crowds.

“I’m pleased with the crowds but I’m even more pleased with the weather – last year was a complete washout.

“The weather has definitely helped. I would say that this has been our best ever year for the family day.

“We were expecting 5,000 people, so to get the extra 1,000 is fantastic.”

Action glen’s entertainment for children took place in the centre of the racecourse.

Teams of youngsters competed in bubble football in which they wore large round inflatable suits and kicked a ball around the field.

Children were also given the chance to ride Segways.

Mhairi O’Donnell of Action Glen said: “The activities today have been so, so popular – we are jam-packed.

“This year we’ve mixed it up a bit and added a couple of new activities, such as bubble football, which is very funny to watch, as well as bringing back our usual activities such as the bouncy castle.

“The kids seem to love it – they have been doing laser quest, quad biking and riding Segways.

“We have been coming to the Perth Racecourse family race day for four years now, but this year is probably the best – we have been really, really busy.”

The day’s sporting action involved seven horse races from 2pm onwards.

The first race of the day was won by Cesar et Rosalie, ridden by Tom Scudamore.

Tom is the son of Peter Scudamore, a former jockey who helped train Grand National winner One For Arthur.

In addition to the four-legged spectacle, racecourse bosses also catered to tennis fans by showing Wimbledon on the site’s big screens.

Pictures: Kim Cessford. Annie Carr’s bus party are ready to have fun.

Erin Harty, 6, tries her hand at archery.

Lewis Ross and Stuart Spalding enjoy their day out.

Brodie, 10, and six-year-old Maree Christie from Perth weigh in.

Spencer, Katy and Sean Allan, Ian, Lisa and Olivia Hutton.

The stands were packed.

Sir Stewart William Dickson and David Hastie.

Winning or losing feeling?