Scotland’s most famous racecourse is located on the southwest coast of the nation, and stages quality flat and National Hunt action throughout the year. One of British racing’s busier tracks, Ayr lays on at least one meeting in every calendar month.
The clear highlight over the jumps comes in the shape of the Scottish Grand National, which takes place in April each year – usually one or two weeks after the English version of the race. The most popular event on the level is the Ayr Gold Cup that runs in September, which provides a valuable pot for the best sprinting handicappers.
Upcoming Fixtures at Ayr
- Thursday 17th September 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Friday 18th September 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 19th September 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Tuesday 29th September 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Thursday 8th October 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 31st October 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Wednesday 11th November 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Monday 30th November 2026 - Jump / Turf
Recent Fixtures
- Monday 10th August 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 8th August 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Monday 27th July 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Monday 20th July 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Monday 13th July 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Monday 6th July 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Sunday 5th July 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 20th June 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Friday 19th June 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Wednesday 20th May 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Tuesday 5th May 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Sunday 26th April 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 18th April 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Friday 17th April 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Saturday 7th March 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Friday 6th March 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Monday 23rd February 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Tuesday 10th February 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Thursday 29th January 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Tuesday 13th January 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Friday 2nd January 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Tuesday 9th December 2025 - Jump / Turf
- Monday 1st December 2025 - Jump / Turf
- Wednesday 12th November 2025 - Jump / Turf
- Saturday 1st November 2025 - Jump / Turf
Ayr Major Meetings
Ayr Racecourse hosts a varied programme across both the jumps and Flat seasons, with several of Scotland’s biggest race days taking place on the west coast. From the country’s richest jumps contest to one of Britain’s most competitive sprint handicaps, Ayr attracts racegoers throughout the year with a blend of sporting excellence and lively social occasions.
New Year’s Raceday (January)
The Scottish racing calendar gets underway in style with Ayr’s hugely popular New Year’s fixture. Taking place during Scotland’s extended festive break, it’s the perfect excuse to round off the holiday celebrations with a competitive afternoon of jumping.
- Held on 2 January, a public holiday in Scotland
- One of the first major National Hunt meetings of the year
- Popular festive fixture with strong local support
Scottish Grand National Meeting (April)
Ayr’s biggest jumps festival builds towards Scotland’s most prestigious steeplechase. Across two fantastic days, the meeting combines top-class racing with a brilliant atmosphere, culminating in the famous Scottish Grand National on Saturday.
- Two-day meeting featuring Ladies Day (Friday) and Scottish Grand National Day (Saturday)
- Headlined by the Scottish Grand National, Scotland’s richest jumps race
- Includes several high-quality graded races across the festival
Glasgow Fair Family Raceday (July)
This summer fixture provides a more relaxed side to Ayr, blending competitive Flat racing with family entertainment during Glasgow’s traditional Fair holiday period. It’s one of the racecourse’s most popular non-festival afternoons.
- Staged during the Glasgow Fair holiday in mid-to-late July
- Flat racing combined with family-friendly entertainment
- Popular summer social occasion for racegoers of all ages
Ayr Gold Cup Festival (September)
The Flat season reaches its peak at Ayr with a superb three-day festival built around one of Britain’s richest sprint handicaps. The Ayr Gold Cup has long been one of the highlights of the racing calendar, attracting elite sprinters and huge betting interest from across the UK.
- Three-day meeting comprising Opening Day, Ladies Day and Gold Cup Day
- Features the famous Ayr Gold Cup and a host of valuable supporting races
- The racecourse’s biggest Flat racing festival and one of Scotland’s premier sporting events
The Ayr Gold Cup attracts huge crowds, as well as the best owners, trainers, and jockeys in the business. The Ayr Gold Cup is so popular and over-subscribed, that not one, but two consolation races are needed; the Ayr Silver Cup and the Ayr Bronze Cup.
