WELCOME

Good afternoon and welcome to Hamilton Park for our Bothwell Castle Raceday, as we share the stage with Royal Ascot today.

We have a fantastic afternoon of racing ahead of us, and our thanks go to all of today’s sponsors – The European Breeders Fund, Scottish Racing, Racing TV and our very own on-site Hampton by Hilton Hamilton Park Hotel. I hope you and your guests have a most enjoyable day’s racing with us.

We have a great seven race card this evening starting with the first Amateur Riders race of the season at Hamilton Park. With a near full field of 13 declared, some of the UK’s leading Amateur Riders are lined up to ride in this race and it should prove an intriguing contest

Today’s fourth race has been titled to highlight Scottish Racing’s support of Racing with Pride which is British horseracing’s official network for the LGBT+ community and allies, which was launched in 2020 as a result of academic work demonstrating the need for more support in this area. The group work to ensure racing is a sport where everyone can be their true selves without fear of discrimination. They have developed educational resources, delivered webinars, created a bespoke set of racing silks, and partnered with British racing’s only out gay jockey, Jack Duern. They have also organised several social events for members to meet-up both online and in person to enjoy their shared passion, including through working alongside Great British Racing on the Racing is Everyone’s Sport campaign. You can find more details on Racing with Pride later in this racecard.

On the track today we can expect some close contests, with competitive fields across the card. The racingtv.com Classified Stakes at 5.15pm sees four-time course winner Retirement Beckons return to Hamilton Park after getting back to winning form at Ayr last week, however he’ll be up against Iain Jardine’s Our Dickie, who was a convincing winner when the two went head-to-head here back in May

With heightened interest in our sport this week due to Royal Ascot, we’ll be showing all the away racing on the screens around the grounds between our own races, so if you fancy a flutter on the action in Berkshire then just head along to any Tote window, the William Hill Betting Shop or the Betting Ring where you’ll be able to place your bets.

Next week will see the return of our ever-popular Saints & Sinners Racenight, sponsored by Indigo Unified Comms, where we all come together to enjoy an evening of racing and entertainment from Go Radio whilst raising much needed funds for small, Scottish-based charities. A portion of every ticket sold is donated to the Saints & Sinners Club of Scotland, who then distribute the funds to worthwhile causes, so simply by buying a ticket to attend you are supporting those in need. Advance purchase tickets are available from only £22.50 at www.hamilton-park.co.uk and as always Under 18s get free admission, so I do hope to see some of you again next week.

Have an excellent afternoon and I hope you back some winners today, whether it be here or at Royal Ascot.

Kind regards,

ASHLEY MOON, RACECOURSE MANAGING DIRECTOR