Fun Family Race Day gallops back to Perth Racecourse this year

sport: Array of entertainment for youngsters in bid to inspire next generation of racegoers

The Wimbledon final is to be shown on giant screens at Perth Racecourse to ensure sports fans don’t miss out on the tennis action while attending the annual family fun day.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Perth as the Mackie’s of Scotland Summer Series continues into the school holidays with the meeting, which represents the second of just three weekend fixtures in Perth’s 2017 season.

The racecourse has already recorded a surge in pre-sale tickets and families are take advantage of an offer for free entry for under-18s.

The team behind the venue is offering an array of events for kids, adults and racing enthusiasts alike.

Crieff Hydro’s Action Glen will be back for another year to keep the children entertained, with attractions including a bouncy castle and face painting, quad biking, pony riding, archery and laser quest.

The Centre Course Enclosure will also be open for families to enjoy a picnic or even disposable barbecues within the grounds.

Hazel Peplinski, chief executive at Perth Racecourse, believes the Family Race Day offers something for everyone and hopes it can inspire a new generation of racegoers.

“Our Mackie’s of Scotland Summer Series is now in full swing and our Family Race Day is well established as an affordable opportunity to introduce whole families to the excitement of summer jump racing,” she said.

“Happy memories are created for so many youngsters on days such as these and I hope the experience can spark a lifelong love of the horse for some.

“With so many children attending, we are providing a special child-friendly edition of our usual racecard free of charge.

“The souvenir young racegoer’s racecard is a simple idea to help make this very traditional sport more accessible to the younger generation.”

As well as plenty off-course entertainment, the meeting will serve up seven more competitive races with some of jump racing’s household names anticipated in the line-up.

A £25,000 prize-fund is on offer for the Mackie’s Family Fun Day Sundae Steeplechase, for which seventeen entries have been received – including last week’s winner Tangolan trained by Fergal O’Brien.

Happy memories are created for so many youngsters on days such as these and I hope the experience can spark a lifelong love of the horse. PERTH RACECOURSE CHIEF EXECUTIVE HAZEL PEPLINSKI

Fraser Band. Picture: Families enjoy offer of free entry for under-18s and fun activities to keep children busy.