Easter Sunday Race Day at Musselburgh

Musselburgh Racecourse continues its tradition of throwing the largest Easter Sunday family event in East Lothian on April 24 with its Easter Sunday Race Day.

The event is part of a weekend double racing bill with prize money of £115,000 and featuring the historic Musselburgh Gold Cup day on Saturday 23 April.

A host of attractions will include fairground rides, face painting at both meetings plus an arts and crafts workshop on Easter Sunday. The first 500 children to arrive on Easter Sunday will each receive a free egg from the Easter Bunny and there will be free chocolate available for kids arriving later.

A bit of colourful fun will be provided when the Sue Ryder Scottish Mascot Gold Cup is staged on Easter Sunday with 25 weird and wonderful mascots competing on the home straight just after the first horse race at 2.45pm.

Popular Channel 4 racing commentator Derek ‘Tommo’ Thompson will be on duty on both days to offer advice and insights for racing novices on what is going on in the Parade Ring and around the course.

Families are encouraged to bring picnics with them but are reminded alcohol and soft drinks are not allowed to be brought in to the track. For the first time race goers keen to ensure a seat and trackside view can reserve picnic tables for the whole day for a small fee.

On Easter Sunday race goers can also “win big for a small stake’ by seeking out the totepool Bet Buddies on arrival for the chance to win a free £2 bet on any race during the day, while Saturday race goers can enjoy Scotland’s national drink during an Isle of Skye Whisky tasting session.

Musselburgh Racecourse commercial manager, Sarah Montgomery, said: “We know families have to be more careful with their budgets which is why we are continually adding new attractions and adding value to what we put on at Musselburgh.

“Aside from the adult admission price, families will pay nothing else for any of the children’s entertainments or attractions on Musselburgh Gold Cup day or Easter Sunday.

“Our seasoned race goers can enjoy top quality racing on both days and total prize money over the weekend is in excess of £115,000 and features three £20,000 races on Saturday including the Musselburgh Gold Cup.  With a combination of excellent flat racing and free family fun we are hoping the Easter weekend will bring the crowds in to Musselburgh.”

Gates open on both days at 11.30am; first race on Saturday is at 1.55pm and at 2.30pm on Sunday. Musselburgh has a policy of admitted children aged 16 and under free when with an adult and once inside the racecourse all entertainment is free on both days.