Tea-parties, hampers and luxury Ice-cream galore at Perth’s Summer Series

The season is in full swing at Perth Racecourse - with the Mackie’s of Scotland Summer Series set to bring more thrilling action over the sticks at this week’s two day meeting.

Following the success of the Perth Festival, Ladies Day and the Gold Cup, the mid-summer double-header on Wednesday and Thursday promises to continue the season with more competitive racing after another set of quality entries have been received for the double-header. 

With 14 races over the two days, an array of local produce and a selection of craft beers or champagne all readily available, visiting racegoers shall be spoilt for choice. Official Ice-cream partners Mackie’s of Scotland are gearing up to provide some samples of their ice cream range to “try before you buy” from their dedicated summer ice cream huts dotted around the enclosures.

The Scottish Women’s Institutes will be guests of honour at Thursday’s raceday, with the local branch having been invited by Perth Racecourse as part of the organisation’s nationwide centenary celebrations.

The racecourse will be hosting one of many commemorative afternoon teas planned up and down the country and the Chief Executive Hazel Peplinski looks forward to welcoming local Institute members for a day at the races.

“We are absolutely delighted to play a part in the Scottish Women’s Institutes’ centenary celebrations, both by inviting them as guests on Thursday and hosting one of their magnificent afternoon tea events,” she said. “I know many of the local Institute enjoy horse-racing and the SWI ethos of connecting, sharing, teaching and meeting is one that Perth Racecourse can identify with”.

Richard Johnson and the 2017 Cheltenham Festival champion trainer, Gordon Elliott, will headline the midweek action and be hoping for a repeat with last year's winner, Russian Regent, leading the 11 entries for The £15,000 Lodge At Perth Racecourse Handicap Chase (For The Kilmany Cup) over three miles.

Ridden by Champion Jockey Johnson, the Elliott-trained Irish raider scrambled home last year by a neck from Dianne Sayer's Baileys Concerto, who is also pencilled-in and will try to go one better.

Also of note among the entries are three-time course scorer and 2015 Perth Gold Cup hero Kilbree Kid, trained by Tom George, and Cup Final, owned by JP McManus and trained by Ben Haslam.

Perth Racecourse is once again participating in the national Racing Stable Staff Week campaign, celebrating the unsung heroes of racing by recognising to stable staff and those behind the scenes who play a vital role in British Horseracing.

“It is timely that our double fixture falls during Racing Stable Staff Week: a cause that we are delighted to support again this year,” said Hazel. “The stable staff work tirelessly and truly are the backbone of our fantastic sport. Without them there would be no racing, and we are grateful for all of their hard work over the season.”

As a gesture of thanks, Perth Racecourse will be presenting luxury hampers stuffed with Scottish treats to each of the stable staff that manages to lead up a winner over the two days.

Hospitality packages are still available for the summer series. Grandstand tickets are priced at £18 per day, with over 60s and student tickets available at £10.

Gates open at 12pm on the 5^th and 6^th July. The first race for each meeting is scheduled at 2.10pm, with the last at 5.10pm.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.perth-races.co.uk or call 01738 551 597.