HAMILTON Park Racecourse is celebrating after attendances for its 2011 season passed the 50,000-mark, already a three per cent rise on 2010’s figures with still one fixture to come.
Ahead of this Monday’s final meeting – September Holiday Family Fun Day – the Lanarkshire venue confirmed that 50,100 people have passed through the gates for 17 race meetings this year to date, compared with 48,800 race-goers at all 18 race days last year.
That three per cent increase figure will only rise further after Monday’s fixture, a new addition to the Hamilton Park calendar and one to which all accompanied under-16s will enjoy free entry.
Hamilton Park chief executive, Vivien Kyles, said: “That we have managed to attract more people to come racing this year is a major achievement by all the team at Hamilton Park.
“What is really key is the variety of fixtures we offer in terms of themes and entertainment which means there genuinely is something for everyone.
“In addition, we changed some dates for 2011 such as Lanark Silver Bell Night, which really paid off, while seasoned favourites such as Ladies’ Night continue to go from strength to strength.
“Overall, we continue to try to appeal to a wider audience and in particular to give value-for-money and something extra to families, such as the free entertainment at Monday’s new bank holiday meeting.
“If people can’t afford to go away this weekend, they know they can come here and bring their kids to be entertained, without having to pay excessive prices for the privilege.”
At Monday’s meeting, all under-16s will be able to attend the event free when accompanied by a paying adult, with entertainment provided by Bob the Builder and FiFi Forget-Me-Not who will be performing onstage both before and after racing.
The children’s TV stars will also be spending time meeting their fans at various times throughout the afternoon as well as a number of other FREE childrens activities such as bouncy castle and face painters.
For fans of racing there will be seven races spread across the day, with the first race getting underway at 2.10pm.
The feature race has prize money of £11,000 and strong, competitive fields are expected across the card with a total of £32,000 in prize money up for grabs.
Kyles added: “Family Fun Day is a new fixture for this year and we hope a great way to round off a hugely successful season for the racecourse. With performances from Bob the Builder and Fifi Forget-Me-Not the highlight away from the track we hope the day will be popular with kids and adults alike without being too taxing on the wallet.
“Providing a great day out that’s close to home at a time when people are tightening their belts is what this day is all about.
“Adding to this, we would like to thank everyone who has attended our meetings in 2011 and look very much forward to kicking things off again next year.”
Gates on the 26th will open at 12.10pm, with tickets available from £13 in advance or £14 on the day.
The seven race card for the September Family Fun Day is as follows
2:10 Scottish Racing Auction Nursery Cl5 6f5y
2:40 Racing UK Classified Claiming Stakes Cl6 6f5y
3:10 Neilsland And Earnock Handicap Cl6 1m65y
3:40 E B F ‘Proclamation’ Conditions Stakes Cl3 1m65y
4:10 Hamilton Park Apprentice Series Final Handicap Cl6 1m1f36y
4:40 Book Now For Your Christmas Party Handicap Cl5 5f4y
5:10 Join Us On Facebook Handicap Cl5 1m4f17y
ENDS
Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Hamilton Park Racecourse.
For more information contact Brian Welsh on 0141 3333 9585 / 07976 456 765
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Contact: Brian Welsh
Phone: 0141 333 9585
Email: brian.welsh@bigpartnership.co.uk
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