AN ACTION-PACKED double header is promised at Musselburgh Racecourse over the Jubilee holiday weekend.
The festivities get under starter’s orders with the Inch’s Cider Scottish Sprint Cup Race Day tomorrow (Saturday) with the £50,000 five furlong feature race of the same name, followed in quick order on Sunday with the £200,000 Sky Best Sunday Series Race Day.
Bill Farnsworth, Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, was looking forward to the event.
He said: “If you like your horseracing fast and furious then Musselburgh is the place to be over this special Jubilee weekend.
“The Scottish Sprint Cup on Saturday is our long established race and much loved by racegoers who appreciate the thrill of watching horses close-up, galloping flat out as they bear down on the winning post, in front of the packed stands.
“With just time to catch our breath, we then welcome back the Sky Best Sunday Series, which includes a bonus race, the seven furlong £50,000 Queen of Scots Stakes for Fillies & Mares.
READ MORE: Top trainer hails the Musselburgh Racecourse 'experience'
“On top of really good quality racing, we are also marking the Royal celebrations with a host of Jubilee related activities over both days so it should be a fantastic bank holiday weekend.”
In the big race, Mick Appleby, a successful trainer three times in 2014, 2018 and 2019, is represented by 11-year-old Dazeno and Sampers Seven.
The former has won 10 races while the latter is a mare who won two handicaps in 2020.
Paul Midgely, winning trainer in 2017 with Line of Reason, saddles Burning Cash, Indian Sounds and Glory Fighter.
Makanah, trained in Malton by Julie Camacho, has a great record at Musselburgh.
From five visits, he has recorded two course and distance wins, plus a second, a third and a fourth.
There are two Scottish raiders in the line-up – Jim Goldie’s Be Proud and the Iain Jardine trained Never Dark.
The five-furlong track record was smashed in this very race in 2018 when Alastair Rawlinson-partnered Caspian Prince, trained by Mick Appelby, stopped the clock at an electrifying 56.77 seconds as he scorched to victory by nearly three lengths.
Part of the Heineken group, the new race day sponsor Inch’s Cider, will provide stable staff with boxes of apples for the training yard of each winning horse on the day.
Gates open tomorrow (Saturday) at 11.30am and the first race is off at 1.36pm.
On Sunday, there is a packed programme of events to enjoy, including the 'Corgi Derby', a special corgi race featuring local canine Paddy, from Port Seton, a distant relative of one of Her Majesty’s favourite dogs (1.45pm).
Louise Marshall, known as Scotland’s National Piper and Resident Piper on ITV’s Good Morning show, will pay homage to the Queen’s well known love of Highland Games and Scottish musical tradition, and will play throughout the race day.
Fairground rides include a Ferris Wheel which will give racegoers thrills and an eagle’s eye view over the racecourse, while the Herald Trumpets will add a regal feel to the proceedings, and there will be a stilt walker from Urban Circus.
The princesses Anna and Elsa from the hit Disney movie Frozen will pose for selfies with children during a course walk-about and there will be a prize for the youngster who comes dressed as the best Prince and Princess.
Other attractions include a 360 degrees photobooth, face painting, and for those looking to dance away the afternoon FunkWagen will get the Royal party started from 1.30pm and will be playing until an hour after the last race which is at 6.45pm.
All the attractions are free and children aged 17 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Racegoers booking their ticket before midnight on Saturday can enjoy a £5 discount on the race day admission price of £30.
Concession tickets are available at the gate on Sunday priced £15 per person.
Valid concession I.D. must be shown and the ticket can also be used to receive 10 per cent off in the cafe at S.Luca's Musselburgh branch.
Aisling Johnston, Musselburgh Racecourse marketing manager, said: “There is a lot of excitement about the Corgi Derby, which we believe to be the first of its kind in the UK and that will set the tone for what is sure to be a brilliant Jubilee Fair.
“The weather is forecast to be sunny and warm and what could be a better way to mark the Queen’s Jubilee and her huge love of horseracing by coming to Musselburgh for a packed day of fantastic racing, fun and festivities?”
Gates open on Sunday a 1.30pm and the first race is off at 3.45pm. For more information and to book tickets visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk
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