Musselburgh Racecourse’s next meeting on Sunday 29 September 2019 is a community race day aimed at local residents, families and businesses, in partnership with Virgin Media and The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The Honest Toun Family Day, staged in partnership with the Honest Toun’s Association (HTA), is aimed at creating a greater community spirit in the East Lothian town.
The racecourse is offering free entry to all HTA patrons who present their membership card indicating they voted in this year’s Musselburgh Honest Lad and Lass elections.
Tickets for free entry have also been distributed to residents living in the vicinity of the racecourse and to local businesses and charity and community groups, courtesy of Virgin Media, who with C-Plan are supporting the community day by providing additional face painting and welcoming racegoers with free sweet treats.
Musselburgh Racecourse Senior Operations and Commercial Manager, said: “This is the first time we have linked up with Virgin Media who are busy connecting our local community to their superfast fibre broadband and have more than 6000 local homes connected already.”
In addition to a seven race card, including the £25,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Scottish Fillies Handicap, there is whole host of free family and children’s activities. The programme gets underway with a parade featuring the Massed Pipe Bands who will march up the home straight, followed by pony racing in which champion pony Push The Button will be hoping to rack up her 50th win, before official racing gets underway with a novices race over seven furlongs.
Interactive displays provided by the Armed Forces, emergency services displays and free children’s rides mean there will be something for people of all ages.
Sarah Montgomery, added: “We are delighted to be working with the HTA to attract more local racegoers to this already popular family day. We hope over the coming years to build this race day in to a strong community event for local residents, families and businesses.
“We will also be showcasing how the racing industry benefits the wider community and Scotland’s economy. We will have an Equicizer mechanical horse on site where people can test their skills as a jockey and we will be providing educational and career opportunity information in racing.
“It is shaping up to be an excellent family day and we feel this could be the start of an important community event which cements the racecourse’s place as East Lothian’s largest sporting and entertainment venue.”
As with all race days at Musselburgh, children aged 17 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Gates open at noon, the first race is off at 2.10pm and the last race at 5.25pm.
For those travelling by train to the race day a free shuttle bus service will operate from and return to Wallyford and Newcraighall rail stations.
For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk
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