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PERTH
FESTIVAL 23rd - 25th APRIL 2003 - THE MOST VALUABLE THREE
DAY
NATIONAL HUNT MEETING IN SCOTLAND
Perth
Racecourse is once again looking forward to it's first meeting
of the 2003 season, The Perth Festival. This popular three
day meeting starts the National Hunt season at the Scone
Palace Park course with over £230,000 in prizemoney
up for grabs over the fixture. New sponsors this year include
Bank of Scotland, Credit Lyonnais, Famous Grouse, The European
Breeders Fund and two local hotels The Meikleour Hotel and
The Castleton House Hotel. The Press & Journal once
again take centre stage on the final day of this three day
party Friday April 25th . We also have a special prize awarded
by Isle of Skye Whisky for the best training performance
each day; this exciting new sponsorship will run throughout
the season. Over 11,000 people attended the meeting in 2002
and it's popularity continues to grow. It is likely that
top jockeys such as McCoy, Walsh and Dobbin will be riding
at the Festival, with horses from yards across the U.K.
On
the evening of the first day of the Festival the racecourse
will again be hosting the "End of Season N.H Ball &
Awards Ceremony" sponsored this year by the Famous
Grouse, to entertain the trainers, jockeys, staff and officials
who will be bringing their horses from as far afield as
the South of England and Ireland, and also to raise money
for the Injured Jockey's Fund.
The
feature race on the second day of the Festival Thursday
24th April will now be a long distance Steeplechase to commemorate
the life of Julian Llewellen Palmer, a well known local
sportsman and a member of the Committee of the Perth Hunt.
The
racecourse has also undergone some structural changes during
the winter months.
Sam Morshead the General Manager said "we have been
very busy completing a number of refurbishments, including
the new "Bindaree" and small Club bar upstairs,
which we are opening up to provide a wonderful view of both
the racecourse and the parade ring. 2003 should be another
memorable year in the history of Perth Racecourse and we
are looking forward to a tremendous festival meeting"
We
then move into what will be our busiest year ever. Our exciting
two day May fixture, with our first evening meeting on the
14th May will this year be supplemented by a new fixture
on Friday Evening May 23rd.
Our two day June fixture this year is looking particularly
enjoyable as on the first day Thursday 5th June, we will
be hosting a special Queen Mother Memorial Race Day. This
will include a parade of some of the Queen Mother's retired
racehorses and a charity race during the afternoon. I am
sure that this will be a very special occasion. The second
half of the fixture the Friday evening 6th June, we will
be hosting a special office party night with a number of
office parties already booking into a large marquee with
all racegoers enjoying live music after racing. A great
way to wind down after a hectic week!
Then
we move onto our two big family days, Gold Cup Day on Sunday
June 22nd and our August Holiday meeting on Saturday August
16th . With record prizemoney on offer throughout the year
we should have some wonderful racing and we look forward
to record crowds enjoying the special Perth atmosphere.
If you would like more details on the 2003 season of racing
at Perth Races please contact the racecourse office on 01738
551597 or log onto www.perth-races.co.uk
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