Today's update includes:
Average Daily Attendance Figures for racemeetings in Scotland look set to rise for the eighth time in ten years, following record seasons at both Hamilton Park and Perth, as well as strong performances from each of the other three courses - which continue racing until the end of the year.
Perth's total attendance for the track's twelve day season was more than 54,000, which is 1,500 more than in 2005 when thirteen fixtures were staged. The average daily attendance exceeded 4,500, the best performance by any Scottish racecourse since the introduction of betting shops to the high-street in the 1960's.
Hamilton Park also posted a record annual attendance figure, despite hosting one less fixture during the 2006 season. The total attendance figure of nearly 69,000 converts to an average daily figure of just over 4,000 - eight percent up on the previous year.
Total attendance for all five Scottish tracks is already ahead by 25,000 compared to the same period last year. The average crowd size is currently 4% ahead of 2005, following the introduction of four additional fixtures during the first nine months of the year.
Big Timer, Ian Semple's talented two year-old gelding has arrived safely in New York, where he will spend a couple of days in quarantine ahead of his bid for the Grade 1, Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park. The race, which is worth $400,000 will be run on Saturday on the all-weather surface at the track.
In order to prepare the gelding for the new surface, Semple sent Big Timer to Southwell Racecourse on Friday, where he enjoyed a thorough work-out.
"We made sure that he experienced the kick-back too - so there are no surprises for him. He travelled well and has arrived safely. He was a little stiff after the journey, but he will have a chance to stretch and loosen up this week, ahead of the race."
Ian Ross, the man responsible for developing Scotland's latest multi-million pound training centre, is seeking a public trainer to start using the brand-new facilities at his East Lothian base. In addition to 40 stables, applicants will have access to a five furlong all-weather gallop and Scotland's first and only equine pool.
The new training centre, which has been named Ashgrove Stables, is just five minutes drive from Musselburgh Racecourse and it's future could be directly linked to the outcome of the current planning inquiry. If Musselburgh's Joint Race Committee is granted permission to go ahead with their all-weather track development, Ross plans to build a further 60 stables at the site - for which planning permission has already been granted.
Ross has invested several years and a great deal of energy in developing the site, which will soon be ready for use. A horse-walker will be installed and an extension to the gallop is also on the cards. "We wanted to see how the existing surface behaves before we decide what to do next," said Ross "It is important that we get it right. The equine pool cost more than £600,000 to build, but it will be invaluable to whoever trains here."
Ian Ross and his family have three horses to put in training at the site, leaving plenty of room for other owners to come in. Advertisements for a trainer appeared in The Racing Post last week, with applicants being asked to call 0131 663 6094 for further information.
Nigel Angus, the last Scottish trainer to saddle the winner of the Ayr Gold Cup, will be laid to rest at 3.00pm on Wednesday 11th October at the Holy Trinity Church, in the centre of Ayr.
Training across the road from Ayr Racecourse at Cree Lodge, Nigel Angus won the Ayr Gold Cup with Swinging Junior in 1972. Three years later he sent out Roman Warrior to take the race again, carrying the top weight of 10 stone. Despite relinquishing his license many years ago, Angus retained an interest at Cree Lodge, keeping three horses in training with the current occupant of the yard, Linda Perratt. He was 62 years old.
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