Perth racing season launches with recordbreaking jackpot “Excitement here at Perth is already sky high ahead of the 2018 season. HAZEL PEPLINSKI

Sport: Prize money on offer tops £1 million for first time

And they’re off...

Thousands of people will descend on Britain’s most northerly horse racing track today for the launch of a record-breaking season.

For the first time, the prize money offered at Perth Racecourse has topped £1 million.

Across all 15 fixtures, owners and jockeys will be competing for a prize pot of close to £1.25m – an overall increase of nearly one-third.

The season-opener at Scone Palace Park is a three-day festival which will feature Perth’s richest ever race and a musical appearance by Radio One breakfast show host Nick Grimshaw.

Day one has seven races, including the EBG Stallions Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle, with a £25,000 prize up for grabs.

Two years ago, Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins had his first winner at Perth in this race and it has since become a magnet for some of the country’s most successful trainers.

History will be made on day two when Perth prize money hits £103,000 – the first time a meeting at the course has been worth six-figures.

The richest ever race at Perth, the £35,000 Fair Maid of Perth Mares’ Steeplechase, will take place on the third and final day of the festival.

Covering more than three miles, the event is designed to attract some of the finest racehorses from across the UK, Ireland and France.

Abronzetrophyhasbeenmadebyartist Gordonmuirtocommemoratetherace.it depicts Catharine Glover, the heroine of Sir Walter Scott’s Fair Maid of Perth.

After the last race, Nick Grimshaw will entertain the crowds with a 90-minute DJ set.

Perth Racecourse chief executive Hazel Peplinski said: “Excitement here at Perth is already sky high ahead of the 2018 season, with a real focus on track action and achieving the best possible spectacle for racegoers.”

She added: “Our three-day Perth Festival is a cracking way to start the season. We’ve been working hard to put in place the strongest possible offering for owners and trainers and we’re excited by the feedback we’ve enjoyed so far this year.”

jabuchan@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Steve Macdougall. Thousands are expected to attend the Perth Festival, which starts today.