Musselburgh Racecourse kicks off the £600,000 Sky Bet Sunday Series at its next meeting on Sunday (25 July).
With almost £200,000 prize money on offer at the East Lothian course, Musselburgh is joining with Haydock and Sandown to launch the triple “twilight” fixtures which will attract leading UK trainers.
With only a shorter 25 minute gap between each of the seven races, Musselburgh Racecourse boss Bill Farnsworth is promising a fast paced action packed day for racegoers.
The collaboration between Sky Bet, ITV and the three racecourses heralds the start of a new late Sunday afternoon festival of racing, with all races at Musselburgh carrying winning purses of between £20,000 and £30,000.
He said: “The aim with this new meeting and the shorter intervals is to offer sports fans and racing fans an afternoon of short, sharp action with very competitive racing and fantastic prize money.”
Sponsors Sky Bet and ITV are also supporting a £100,000 bonus prize for any jockey who wins seven races across the three fixtures and similarly a £100,000 prize for any trainer who lands a winner at each fixture.
Tickets for Musselburgh’s premier summer meeting, the Stobo Castle Ladies Day on Friday 20 August are selling fast and it seems the event will be a 5,000 sell-out, with less than 1,000 general admission ticket remaining.
The “boutique” race day will feature a celebrity DJ-set, live music, fashion shows, floral displays and a party atmosphere set against a glamorous picnic and cocktail bar environment.
The afternoon’s seven Flat races can be enjoyed from the course’s extensive seating and picnic lawns or the luxurious Picnic Pavilion. A variety of food and drink will be available as well as betting facilities, and restaurant packages are available in the Epperston Restaurant.
