‘Gold Cup’ - but not as we know it

This comes after the meeting was abandoned over the September weekend due to heavy rainfall and waterlogged tracks. 

The track was seen to be “perfectly raceable” on Wednesday, September 20 but rainfall on Wednesday evening into Thursday morning of 17mm lead to the problem.

The rest of the course was heavy but raceable and work will start immediately to determine whether there is an underlining problem at the two-and-a-half-furlong marker.

Iain Ferguson, head of public relations at Ayr Racecourse, said: “This is the first time it has been abandoned in living memory. 

“We don’t know the specifics yet other than the amount of rainfall that we have had. The water table was particularly high – the highest it has ever been.”

Speaking to our sister paper, the Sunday Herald, he added: “There was a rumour that it was a burst water pipe but it is not that. Drainage is the first that comes to mind but we won’t know until there has been a full investigation.

“The track has been here since 1907 and before that it was agricultural land – there are old ceramic drains down there and it could be one of those that has collapsed.”

The new race, 32Red Gold Cup, will take place on Saturday, September 30, at Haydock Park Racecourse with the event to be limited to 17 runners, compared to the 25 at Ayr Racecourse.

The event will have a reduced prize winning of £90,000 compared to the £200,000 that was available at the Ayr Gold Cup.

Richard Wayman, chief operating officer for the British Horseracing Authority, commented: “We are delighted that the Ayr Gold Cup – which is such an important betting race – has been saved and will be run at Haydock Park.

“It is obviously extremely disappointing to lose the entire William Hill Gold Cup Fixture. It is an important fixture for horsemen, racegoers, the betting public, the racecourse and the local area.

"The BHA has requested a report from the racecourse executive regarding the circumstances surrounding the last few days, including exactly what the issue with the track is, what has caused it, what procedures are in place to address the issues, their prospects of racing at other forthcoming fixtures and the communication around the fixture cancellations.”

Ayr Racecourse put out a notice on social media regarding refunds from the Ayr Gold Cup, that read: “Full Refunds will be given to everyone who bought a ticket for any of the three days. Refunds to credit/debit cards are currently being processed as quickly as possible. People who paid by cash can come into the Racecourse Offices between the hours of 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, to arrange a refund.”

Hamilton Park Racecourse was also a victim of rainfall when The Dreammaker Foundation Family Raceday had to be cancelled.

The event, which was to take place on Monday, September 25, was called off due to excessive rain, where areas of the track had become unsafe.

Writing on social media, Hamilton Park Racecourse, said: “Unfortunately we have to cancel the race meeting on safety grounds. Due to excessive rain, areas of the track have become unsafe. With further heavy rain forecast we have no option but to take this difficult decision.

"Should you require a refund then please contact the racecourse office next week on enquires@hamilton-park.co.uk alternatively please hold onto your ticket for admission as it will be valid for our opening Family Day on Sunday 6th May 2018.”