Racecourse celebrates biggest crowd ever at Carnival raceday

Weekend fixture was first to sell-out with record number of people attending

Perth racecourse enjoyed its busiest day ever at the weekend attracting a 10,000-strong crowd.

The record attendance at the Carnival raceday on Saturday meant the racecourse reached its maximum capacity for the first time in its history, leaving some people unable to get in.

Hazel Peplinksi, chief executive of Perth racecourse, was delighted by the largest meeting on record for the UK’s most northerly track.

“Our Carnival raceday was a fantastic success and everyone who managed to get a ticket appeared to have a fabulous day out,” she said.

“We were lucky enough that the weather picked up in time with plenty of sunshine; it was especially nice later on when the wind dropped and the band was playing, which added to the carnival atmosphere.

“Saturday was the first fixture at Perth racecourse ever to sell out and the buzz around the enclosures was just amazing.

“The disappointment among those who were unable to buy tickets once we sold out was palpable.

“Whilst we have only had one Saturday meeting for a number of years at Perth, a new fixture process for 2018 has allowed us to win a second Saturday which shall hopefully take the pressure off this very established Carnival event.

“The two Saturday dates next year are June 23 and August 18, and the advice shall be to buy tickets early to avoid disappointment as we cannot exceed the capacities as per our safety certificate.”

The day featured seven jump races but all eyes were on the coveted feature race of the day, the £25,000 Spirits of Scone Stone of Destiny Handicap Hurdle.

Paying homage to Perthshire’s rich heritage and culture, the debut race was closely contended, but it was Donald McCain’s Dear Sire who was crowned victorious.

In keeping with the summer carnival atmosphere, those in attendance were entertained by magicians, carnival stilt walkers and dancers before the band UB40 Homegrown performed to the sell-out crowd after the final race.

Now nearing the end of the season, next up in the racing calendar is the Autumn raceday on Monday September 11.

Saturday was the first fixture at Perth racecourse ever to sell out and the buzz around the enclosures was just amazing. HAZEL PEPLINSKI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, PERTH RACECOURSE

Picture: Fraser Band. Perth Racecourse is planning firther Saturday events after the success of their latest weekend fixture.