Jump in interest in Perth Racecourse

Perth Racecourse is looking forward to 2018 with confidence after hailing the positive impact of a £250,000 irrigation project.

The work was carried out last winter and had been fully installed by the time season opening festival came round.

Racecourse chief executive Hazel Peplinski said the works had improved consistency of the going at Perth and had led to a 53% decrease in the number of non-runners in its races.

The improvement contributed to growth in media rights income during the year and the track also saw a rise in ticket revenues, including its first ever sell-out during the Saturday Summer Carnival in August.

Ms Peplinksi said The Lodge facility which provides accommodation for visitors was performing well and the company was looking at adapting its hospitality packages to allow for more flexible dining options in the year ahead.

She added the company was looking forward with confidence.

“We’re excited to be substantially increasing our investment in prize money which we are confident will help grow field sizes yet again in 2018 by encouraging more owners and trainers to sit up and notice what is happening here at Perth,” said Ms Peplinksi.

“We’re also pleased to be able to add a second Saturday fixture on June 23 2018, which, if the sell-out success of our existing August Saturday fixture is anything to go by, will be a huge opportunity for us to bring live horse racing to a wider audience.”

Ballyandy on way to securing victory at Perth Racecourse.