Express by Holiday Inn Ayr-Prestwick Airport

Ayr races

The home of the Coral Scottish Grand National and the totesport Ayr Gold Cup, Ayr racecourse is Scotland's only Grade one racecourse.

Although it is thought that racing has taken place at Ayr since the 16 th Century, the first official meeting recorded in the Racing Calendar took place in 1777.

The first two runnings of the Ayr Gold Cup were won by Chancellor, in 1804 and 1805. In 1907 the racecourse moved a short distance to its current location and took another significant step when introducing a jump racing course in 1950. In 1966 racegoers welcomed the first running of the Scottish National at Ayr, after the closure of the racecourse at Bogside.

Until recently, racing was organised at the course by The Western Meeting Club. In 2003, the racecourse changed hands and the new management has put together a £35 million pound redevelopment scheme which will transform Scotland's most prestigious racecourse into a venue that will truly rival the best racecourses in the world.

Situated on the west coast of Scotland, Ayr racecourse is close to the centre of the town of the same name, and only 6 miles from the hotel.

2008 fixtures