Jumping into new season at racecourse

Perthfestivalprepnotdeterredbyharshwinter

Perthshire punters are under starter’s orders ahead of the new season getting under way at Perth Racecourse.

There are now less than four weeks to go until the ever-popular Perth Festival kicks off the new season at the picturesque parkland course near Scone.

And organisers have said there will be £300,000 of prize money up for grabs when runners and riders from across the UK and Ireland flock to the region for three days of racing from April 24-26.

Live music is again a feature of entertainment on racedays, with Dundee-based band Milhouse Collective playing live in The Barn after racing on the final day of the festival.

Looking further ahead, the overall prize pot for is more than £950,000 for 13 fixtures.

This includes a Perth Racecourse executive contribution of £549,273 – an increase from £532,769 in 2023 – despite there being two fewer racedays following a change to the British Horseracing Association’s fixture policy.

Following on from Edinburgh Gin Ladies Day in May – which is to feature Judge Jules LIVE taking to the stage once the sporting action has been completed – June is to see the 25th anniversary of the Perth Gold Cup take place.

It is run as part of bet365 Perth Gold Cup Day, which appears to have captured the imagination of the racing public as there has been a 34 per cent increase in advance sales year-on-year across general admission and hospitality.

Racing on that Sunday afternoon is worth £100,000, with £34,000 generated for the Gold Cup alone.

Other season highlights include Family Raceday on the middle Sunday in July, when all children’s activities are free and there is free entry for under18s, plus Stone of Destiny Raceday in August, with Shaka Loves You set for a return to The Barn by popular demand after racing.

Matthew Taylor is the director of racing at Perth Racecourse. He said: “Excitement here at Perth is already building ahead of the season, with a real focus on track action and achieving the best possible spectacle for race-goers.

“As everyone will recognise, it has been a tough and wet winter since we stopped racing in September.

“The entire racecourse team has worked really hard to get the Festival into the position it is in now, especially with our fantastic grounds team.

“Our three-day Perth Festival is packed with highlights such as our richest ever card worth £114,000 on the Wednesday with the two listed feature races.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Perth in 2024 including our loyal race-goers whose support is hugely appreciated.”

The team behind Perth Racecourse is heading into the new season off the back of a concerted period of preparatory work.

The most historic and listed stand on course, The Club Stand, has benefited from a complete revamp.

The old mahogany has been replaced, with the outgoing material re-purposed for repairs and furniture at Scone Palace.

Elsewhere, the Long Bar has been converted into a 150-plus seat restaurant called 1908 and the Tay Bistro has been converted to The Bonnie Jockey, a traditional-style pub with TV screens throughout .

See the website perth-races.co.uk for Perth’s full 2024 fixture list and ticket information.

The entire racecourse team has worked really hard to get the Festival into the position it is in now... we can’t wait to welcome everyone back