Perth Racecourse

Location:
Britain's most northerly track is very easily accessible from the south, being just 3 miles from the motorway network. By car take either the M90 from Edinburgh or the A9 from Glasgow. The course is just 40 minutes from Edinburgh airport and is also close to the mainline train station.

Set within the historic grounds of Scone Palace, the view from the grandstand is one of the most impressive in Britain. Several two or even three-day racemeetings, ensure that Perth is also an excellent destination for short racing breaks.

Directions Using MultiMap

Local Facilities:

Perth is a wonderful place for a short break and you can find all the best hotels and guest houses in our Tartan Turf Guide. We have also sought out the best restaurants and plenty of other local attractions and places to visit. For local Golf Courses, click on our Directory link.

Brief History:
Scone Palace has been the playground of Scotland's Kings and noblemen for centuries. It is therefore no surprise that horseracing is recorded to have taken place at Perth as early as 1613 with the first running of "The Silver Bell."

Although flat racing was briefly recorded on the North Inch at the turn of the century, Perth has been exclusively linked to jump racing since the track was moved to its current location in 1908.

In April 1978, Jonjo O'Neill rode five winners from five rides - one of the best riding performances in the history of jump racing. In 1988 the legendery Berwickshire hunter-chaser, Flying Ace won the 50th race of his remarkable career at the Perth May Meeting. Tony McCoy rode the 250th winner of his record-breaking season at Perth in May, 1998.

Len Lungo equalled the late Ken oliver's 30 year old Scottish record of 56 winners in a jump racing season at Perth in May 1999. Peter Niven, Scotland's greatest jump jockey with 1,002 winners, retired at Perth in September 2001.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, visited Perth in 1970 and again in 1977 during the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations.

Perth's Festival Meeting was first staged in April 1989 and is now firmly established as one of the best fixtures in the British racing calendar. Perth pioneered summer jumping in 1995 and Scone's first ever Sunday meeting on 25th June, 2000 attracted 9,000 racegoers.

The fixture list has expanded gradually from two days to thirteen in 2005. The racecourse has never been more popular and the facilities have been developed sympathetically to match demand. The new Nelson Grandstand, opened at the 2005 Perth Festival, accommodates private diners in a superb viewing restaurant, as well as casual racegoers in the bar and betting shop below.

The Racegoers' Club has voted Perth the "Best Small Racecourse," in Scotland and the North-East, seven times since 1990, including in 2004.

Our Tip:
Take a couple of days off work and enjoy a short break in Perth. The countryside is stunning, you will find plenty of good places to stay and the racecourse is literally at the top of the pile! As you will see below, there are plenty of two and three day fixtures - to make a real break of it.

2008 Fixtures:

Wednesday 23rd April

Thursday 24th April

Friday 25th April

Wednesday evening 14th May

Thursday 15th May

Sunday 1st June

Wednesday 2nd July

Thursday 3rd July

Sunday 13th July

Tuesday evening 29th July

Wednesday 30th July