As the home of the Scottish Grand National, Ayr provides the stage for Scotland’s biggest jumps event, making it the go-to destination for National Hunt fans north of the border. However, such is the status of the track near the southwest coast that it also takes centre stage on the Scottish flat racing scene. Topping the bill on the level is the historic Ayr Gold Cup of September.
First run at the now-defunct Ayr racetrack of Belleisle, the Ayr Gold Cup has experienced changes to more than its location over the years. Initially held as a level weights affair over a marathon two-mile trip, the race became a handicap in 1855 and only saw the trip reduced to the current six-furlong distance when making its debut at Ayr in 1908.
Open to sprinters aged three years and older, the race is now one of the most targeted sprint handicaps of the season. Despite accommodating a maximum field of 25, the contest is invariably so oversubscribed that Ayr lays on an Ayr Silver Cup and Ayr Bronze Cup for those who don’t make the cut.
2024
- 1st - Lethal Levi 20/1, Jockey: Clifford Lee, Trainer: Karl Burke
- 2nd - Silky Wilkie 66/1, Jockey: Sam Feilden, Trainer: Karl Burke
- 3rd - Korker 40/1, Jockey: Jason Hart, Trainer: Karl Burke
2023
- 1st – Significantly 8/1J - Jockey: Joe Fanning, Trainer: Julie Camacho
- 2nd – Ramazan 16/1 - Jockey: Oisin Orr, Trainer: Richard Fahey
- 3rd – Gweedore 11/1 - Jockey: William Pyle, Trainer: Katie Scott
2022
- 1st – Summerghand 12/1 - Jockey: Daniel Tudhope, Trainer: David O’Meara
- 2nd – Commanche Falls 10/1 - Jockey: Connor Beasley, Trainer: Michael Dods
- 3rd – Juan Les Pins 28/1 - Jockey: Andrew Mullen, Trainer: Michael Appleby
2021
- 1st – Bielsa 15/2 - Jockey: Kevin Stott, Trainer: Kevin Ryan
- 2nd – Great Ambassador 3/1F - Jockey: Richard Kingscote, Trainer: Ed Walker
- 3rd – Mr Wagyu 18/1 - Jockey: Jason Hart, Trainer: John Quinn
2020
- 1st – Nahaar 7/2F - Jockey: Tom Marquand, Trainer: William Haggas
- 2nd – Spanish City 22/1 - Jockey: Ray Dawson, Trainer: Roger Varian
- 3rd – Mr Lupton 10/1 - Jockey: Billy Garrity, Trainer: Richard Fahey
2019
- 1st – Angel Alexander 28/1 - Jockey: Richard Kingscote, Trainer: Tom Dascombe
- 2nd – Growl 28/1 - Jockey: Tony Hamilton, Trainer: Richard Fahey
- 3rd – Gulliver 8/1 - Jockey: Jason Hart, Trainer: David O’Meara
2018
- 1st (dh) – Son Of Rest 5/1F - Jockey: Chris Hayes, Trainer: J A Stack
- 1st (dh)– Baron Bolt 28/1 - Jockey: Cameron Noble, Trainer: Paul Cole
- 3rd – Flying Pursuit 12/1 - Jockey: Rachel Richardson, Trainer: Tim Easterby
2017
- 1st – Donjuan Triumphant 13/2 - Jockey: P J McDonald, Trainer: Andrew Balding
- 2nd – Stake Acclaim 20/1 - Jockey: Jack Duern, Trainer: Dean Ivory
- 3rd – Ice Age 7/1 - Jockey: Charles Bishop, Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton
2016
- 1st – Brando 11/1 - Jockey: Tom Eaves, Trainer: Kevin Ryan
- 2nd – Growl 4/1F - Jockey: Graham Lee, Trainer: Richard Fahey
- 3rd – Hoof It 16/1 - Jockey: Nathan Evans, Trainer: Michael Easterby
2015
- 1st – Don’t Touch 6/1F - Jockey: Tony Hamilton, Trainer: Richard Fahey
- 2nd – Poyle Vinnie 50/1 - Jockey: Andrew Mullen, Trainer: Michael Appleby
- 3rd – Ninjago 33/1 - Jockey: Sean Levey, Trainer: Richard Fahey
2014
- 1st – Louis The Pious 10/1 - Jockey: James Doyle, Trainer: David O’Meara
- 2nd – Minalisa 33/1 - Jockey: Fran Berry, Trainer: Rae Guest
- 3rd – Blaine 7/1F - Jockey: Amy Ryan, Trainer: Kevin Ryan