Racing week ahead: Ayr Gold Cup Festival
Three days of Western Meeting racing build to Europe’s richest sprint handicap on Saturday.
Scotland’s biggest raceday of the year dominates this week’s agenda. The Western Meeting at Ayr runs across three days, building to the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday 19 September. It is the most valuable racing day north of the border.
The three-day schedule
Ayr’s three-day Western Meeting breaks down as follows:
| Day | Name | Key races |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Opening Day | Ladbrokes Kilkerran Cup |
| Friday | Ladies Day | Ladbrokes Ayr Bronze Cup; Harry Rosebery Stakes; Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies’ Stakes |
| Saturday | Gold Cup Day | Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup; Ayr Silver Cup; Firth of Clyde Stakes; Doonside Cup |
The Gold Cup
Run over Ayr’s straight six furlongs, the Gold Cup is one of the biggest handicap puzzles of the season, with a field that can run to 25 or more. Last year’s renewal went to Run Boy Run under George Woods. Saturday’s card is completed by three more black-type races, headlined by Scotland’s only Group race, the Firth of Clyde Stakes.
A race with real history
First run in 1804, the Gold Cup is one of the oldest handicaps in British Flat racing. It has anchored the Scottish calendar for well over two centuries.
What’s coming this week
RacingBetter’s coverage builds through the week:
