The Perth Races

The home of the Perth Races, Scone Palace has been known as the "playground of Scotland's Kings" for many centuries, with noblemen from all over Britain keen to enjoy the variety of races and games that take place there. The first Perth Races took place at Scone Palace in the year 1613, with the first running of the "Silver Bell" races. Although there has been recorded flat races at Scone Palace, the current Perth Races are all jump races and have been since the track was moved in 1908 to it's current location. This year is the 100 year anniversary of this move, and there are many special racing events planned to commemorate this. The first festival at Scone Palace was staged in April 1989 and has grown in size and popularity since then to become one of the biggest and best features of the British racing calendar. Summer jumping was pioneered at Perth in the year 1995, with the first ever Sunday meeting at Scone on the 25th of June 2000 attracting more than 9000 keen race-goers. Originally hosting only two days of fixtures, the list has grown gradually to accommodate thirteen a year from 2005. The Perth Races have never been more popular, with the facilities at the course being gradually expended to meet this new demand. New features, such as the Nelson Grandstand, were opened at the Perth Festival in 2005, and offer private diners a sumptuous menu as well as great views over the racecourse. Below, casual race-goers are invited to make use of the bar and betting shop, with friendly staff and comfortable areas to sit. Races are set within the grounds of Scone Palace, with its historic grounds offering one of the most impressive views from the grandstand in Britain. Short racing breaks are incredibly popular, as Perth Races often hold two or three day race meetings for the big horse-racing fans.

Getting There

Finding the Perth Races is easier than you think, with the Scone Palace racecouse easy to access from the south - being only three miles from the main motorway networks. Although it is the most northerly track in Britain, the course is just a 40 minute drive from Edinburgh airport via the M90, and is very close to the mainline train station.

Perth Races Facts

Perth Races have been voted the "Best Small Racecourse" in Scotland and the North-East by the Racegoers' Club on seven separate occasions since 1990, with the most recent award presented in 2004. The Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, enjoyed the Perth races and visited the track in 1970 and again during the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1970.

Perth Races Greats

Perth has attracted more than its fair share of greats, considering it is only a small racecourse! One of the best riding performances recorded in the whole history of jump racing occurred here, as Jonjo O'Neill rode five winners from five rides in April 1978. The legendary Berwickshire hunter-chaser, Flying Ace, had a remarkable career - winning his 50th race at the Perth May Meeting in 1988. As well as this, Peter Niven, arguably Scotland's greatest jump jockey, retired at Perth in September 2001, with 1,002 winning races under his belt.