Racegoers are preparing for three days of racing and entertainment at Ayr Racecourse as the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup Festival gets underway. The meeting runs from Thursday, September 17, to Saturday, September 19, and finishes with the prestigious Ayr Gold Cup.

Scotland’s biggest Flat racing festival is expected to attract leading horses, jockeys and trainers for a packed programme on and off the track. Visitors heading to the course can find details below on race times, ticket prices, travel, parking, dress requirements and the entertainment planned across the meeting.

When is the Ayr Gold Cup Festival?

Opening Day is on Thursday, September 17. The gates open at noon, with the first race scheduled for 2pm and the final race due at 5.01pm. The seven-race card includes the £35,000 Ladbrokes Kilkerran Handicap Stakes.

Friday, September 18, is Ladies Day. Gates open at 11.20am, the first race is scheduled for 1.20pm and the last race is due at 4.45pm. The seven-race programme includes the British EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes, Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies’ Stakes and the £40,000 Ladbrokes Ayr Bronze Cup.

Gold Cup Day takes place on Saturday, September 19, with gates opening at 11am. Racing begins at 1.20pm and the final race is scheduled for 4.50pm. The £180,000 Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup starts at 3.40pm, while the card also features the Ayr Silver Cup, Firth of Clyde Stakes and Doonside Cup.

Tickets, prices and entry rules

Tickets are available through the Ayr Racecourse website or by calling 01292 264179. Tickets may also be available at the gate on each day, subject to availability.

  • Thursday Grandstand admission is £24 for an adult, while Club admission is £30.
  • Friday Grandstand admission is £30 and Club admission is £40.
  • Saturday Grandstand admission is £37 and Club admission is £62.

Other packages and three-day tickets are also available. Under-18s can attend free with a paying adult on Thursday and Friday, subject to the racecourse’s conditions. However, under-18s are not permitted on Gold Cup Saturday.

Travel, parking and what is happening at the course

Ayr Railway Station is within walking distance of the racecourse, with rail links to Glasgow and other parts of Scotland. Stagecoach bus services provide another public transport option. Dedicated return coaches for Gold Cup Saturday were offered from Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Irvine, Saltcoats, Ardrossan, Paisley, Hamilton, East Kilbride, Cumbernauld, Falkirk and Stirling, but those services are currently listed as sold out.

Drivers can reach Ayr via the M77 from Glasgow. Free parking is available at Ayr Racecourse, which says there is ample parking for visitors. Racegoers travelling by car are advised to allow extra time because of the number of people expected, particularly on Gold Cup Saturday.

Entertainment will run alongside the racing and continue after the final races. Sneaky Treacle is due to perform after Thursday’s racing. Friday’s Ladies Day line-up includes Voyage ABBA Tribute, Colin McArdle, Bandioke, The Rhythm Kings and other performers.

Saturday’s entertainment includes George Bowie’s GBX Anthems after racing, alongside Colin McArdle, Waterfront, The Real Easy and The Rhythm Kings. Grado will return as a roving reporter on Gold Cup Day, speaking to racegoers around the course. Entertainment times and locations may change.

Ladies Day combines racing with fashion and entertainment, including the Style Awards. Racegoers are encouraged to make an effort with their outfits, while live performances will take place throughout the day.

Dress requirements vary by area. The Club Enclosure and hospitality areas operate a smart-casual dress code, with ripped or torn denim and trainers not permitted. There is no formal dress code in the Grandstand, but football colours are not permitted anywhere at the racecourse.

Dogs are not allowed at Ayr Racecourse, apart from assistance dogs.