Musselburgh Racecourse facts for kids
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Aerial view of Musselburgh Racecourse
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| Location | Musselburgh, East Lothian |
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| Date opened | 1816 |
| Screened on | Racing TV |
| Course type | Flat National Hunt |
| Notable races | William Hill Scottish Sprint Cup, Royal Mile Handicap |
Musselburgh Racecourse is a famous place in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland, where exciting horse racing events happen. It's located near the River Esk. This racecourse is the second largest in Scotland and the fourteenth largest in the whole UK. In 2016, it hosted 25 racing events.
For a long time, it was officially called "Edinburgh Racecourse" until 1996. However, most people in Scotland already knew it as "Musselburgh." The track is designed for both flat racing (where horses run on a flat track) and National Hunt racing (which includes jumping over obstacles). The flat course is about 1.25 miles long, and the jumps course is a bit longer. There are eight fences for the horses to jump during National Hunt races.
Right in the middle of the racecourse, there's also a nine-hole golf course called Musselburgh Links. This golf course is very old, dating back to at least 1672! The Royal Musselburgh Golf Club was started there in 1774.
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Where is Musselburgh Racecourse?
The racecourse is on land that belongs to the community of Musselburgh. It's on the eastern side of the town, not far from the main A1 road. On race days, a special bridge over the River Esk opens to let people get to the course. The rest of the time, these gates are closed.
A Look Back at Musselburgh's History
The very first horse races in Musselburgh happened in 1777. These events were organized by a group called the Royal Caledonian Hunt. For a while, between 1789 and 1816, some races moved to the sands at Leith. But in 1816, horse racing came back to Musselburgh for good. The town council even helped create a special course for the races. The Royal Caledonian Hunt was so happy that they gave money to the town's poor people.
After 1961, when betting shops opened away from the racecourses, fewer people came to watch the races. This caused problems for many racecourses in Scotland, and some even closed down. Musselburgh Racecourse also faced difficulties in the 1980s. Things got a little better in 1987 when racecourses started selling pictures of races to betting shops. However, the racecourse was still losing money in the early 1990s.
In 1991, the East Lothian Council stepped in to help. They took over running the racecourse and managed to make it financially stable within just one year. Then, in 1994, the Council and the Lothians Racing Syndicate created a partnership called the Musselburgh Joint Racing Committee (MJRC). This group still runs the racecourse today. The Council owns the land and buildings, and the MJRC pays rent to use them.
Starting in 1995, a big plan to improve the racecourse began. Over £7.5 million was spent to build new stands, like The Queen’s Stand, and update older buildings. They also added new stables for the horses, better facilities for staff, and improved the race track itself. In 2012, an all-weather strip was added to the track. This helps protect the course, especially on the bends, from getting too worn out.
The Fun Corgi Derby
Musselburgh Racecourse is also famous for hosting the Corgi Derby! This is a super fun annual dog race where Pembroke Welsh Corgis (a type of dog) race on a small track. It started in 2022 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. The Queen loved Corgis and horse racing, so this event is a playful way to honor her. It has become a popular event, even getting attention from news around the world!
Who Comes to the Races?
More than 70,000 people visit Musselburgh Racecourse every year. This is a big increase from the 38,000 visitors it had in 1999. One of the most popular days is Ladies' Day in June, which often sells out with 8,000 people attending.
The racecourse hosts six "Sensational Racedays" each year. These are the biggest events and include:
- New Year's Day Raceday
- The Scottish Cheltenham Trials Weekend
- Easter Saturday, which features the Queen's Cup and the Corgi Derby
- The Edinburgh Cup
- Ladies Day
- Oktoberfest
These special days are important events in the Scottish racing calendar and attract many visitors and media attention.
Awards and Achievements
Musselburgh Racecourse has won several awards for being a great place to race. In 2011, it won the Dual Purpose Award at the Neil Wyatt Racecourse Groundstaff Awards. This was a big achievement, as it beat much larger racecourses like Ascot Racecourse. The racecourse has also won various awards through the RCA Showcase Awards. In 2023, Musselburgh Racecourse was named the RCA Showcase Racecourse champions, showing how well it is run.
Exciting Races to Watch
Musselburgh Racecourse hosts several important races throughout the year:
- Queen of Scots Stakes (Listed race), a 7-furlong race.
- William Hill Scottish Sprint Cup (Class 2 Heritage Handicap), a fast 5-furlong sprint.
- Royal Mile (Class 2 Handicap), a 1-mile race.
- Edinburgh Cup (Class 3 Handicap), a longer race at 1 mile and 4 furlongs.
- Queen's Cup (Class 2 Handicap), an even longer race at 1 mile and 6 furlongs.
- Edinburgh National (Class 2 Handicap Chase), a challenging 4-mile race with jumps.
