Horse racing: Festival of racing to mark its 20th year

Apr 17 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

WHETHER you’re a seasoned racegoer or have never so much as set foot on a course, next week’s Stanjames.com Perth Festival – April 22, 23 and 24- is the perfect spring day out and one of the most exhilarating events on the Scottish racing calendar.

The festival, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is Perth Racecourse's first race meeting of the season and attracts some of the UK's top jockeys, trainers and horses, as well as generating huge interest among local racegoers.

Set in the breathtaking parkland of historic Scone Palace, the festival is now recognised as one of the main annual racing festivals.

Famous horses that have run in the past include Earth Summit, Master Oats and My Will and in attendance this year will be champion trainer Paul Nichols and other top southern trainers and jockeys including Tony McCoy and Ruby Walsh.

Yesterday general manager of Perth Racecourse Sam Morshead said: “It is hard to believe that it is 20 years since we held our first festival.

“The initial idea of an end of season party for the owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff has grown into three days of very competitive racing with jumping enthusiasts travelling the length and breadth of the British Isles to try and pick the winners.”

Following on from the adrenaline-fuelled Cheltenham and Aintree pressure races, the Stanjames.com Perth Festival provides visitors with one of the best opportunities to see quality National Hunt horses compete for over £220,000 of prize money during three days of show stopping racing.

Sam continued: “It has been very rewarding for us all at Perth Racecourse to witness how the meeting has developed.

“Thanks must go to all of our sponsors for their terrific contributions towards the festival and also to Stanjames.com who have added their support over recent years and whose steeplechase is the main feature race next Thursday with a prize pot of £35,000.”

Not only does the Stanjames.com Perth Festival promise an enjoyable family day out with good racing by day, it also guarantees great parties by night.

That Bar in the centre of Perth will be the place to be on both Wednesday and Thursday night for hot tips straight from the horses’ mouth!

Racecourse gates open at noon each day. Admission is £15 (concessions £10) and £12 for groups of 15 or more booked in advance with two free. Children under 16 are free.