Horse racing boosts Scottish economy

With all tickets sold for Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr, the bumper crowd will enjoy one of the year’s biggest sporting events. But the four other Scottish courses – Hamilton Park, Kelso, Perth, and Musselburgh – have all reported increased numbers through their gates this year and experts are hopeful this is the start of an upward trend.

The industry in Scotland has recently received yet another boost, with the victory of One For Arthur in the Grand National earlier this month

The 14-1 shot became only the second Scottish horse to win at Aintree after Rubstic’s triumph in 1979. Immediately after Arthur’s win, trainer Lucinda Russell, based in Milnathort, Kinross, spoke of Scotland’s horse racing heritage.

She said: “We have great trainers up in the north, just as good as the ones in the south. But we need big winners to attract the owners because that’s what it comes down to at the end of the day. The trainers are as good, the tracks in the north are good and it’s a better day out for owners up here. But it’s the investment.”

Yesterday, bookmakers Coral had the Nicky Henderson-trained Premier Bond heading the sponsor’s betting for the big race at 9-1.