The three-day Ayr Gold Cup Festival reaches its climax tomorrow (Saturday) as Ayr Racecourse prepares to host its biggest meeting of the week.
Racing has already been underway at the track since Thursday, with the opening two days featuring a number of major races, but attention now turns to the headline event – the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup.
The feature race is scheduled for 3.40pm, with a maximum field of 25 horses set to compete over six furlongs for a £180,000 prize pot.
Among those heading to the starting stalls will be last year’s winner Run Boy Run, while Spycatcher heads the weights at 9st 13lb.
Volterra, Spy Chief and Aramram are also among the leading names in the field.
Another piece of history in the making this year involves Saffie Osborne, who will be looking to become the first female jockey to win the Ayr Gold Cup.
The 24-year old recently claimed a British Classic at St Leger, winning a one-two for trainer Joseph O’Brien, last week, and believes the lead-up to this upcoming occasion has been “mental”.
Speaking to sporting broadcast legend Jim Delahunt, Osbourne said: “It’s been really nice to have everyone be so supportive but also been slightly hectic.
“I was really honoured to have picked up the ride in the first place for Joseph (O’Brien). My horse’s profile was slightly peculiar, but all he done was improve and if he keeps going on the same trajectory then he’d have a really good chance.
“It’s amazing that there’s such a small number of things that women in this sport haven’t achieved, that one was ticked off. There isn’t many more things for women to achieve for the first time in sport which is obviously very special.”
ONE VISION: Saffie Osbourne hopes to make female sporting history at the Gold Cup (Image: Ayr Racecourse via Facebook)
The Gold Cup will form part of a packed Saturday card at the racecourse, with the Ayr Silver Cup, Doonside Cup and Group 3 Firth of Clyde Stakes also taking place.
There will also be entertainment throughout the day, including live performances from George Bowie and GBX Anthems after racing, as well as music from The Rhythm Kings and The Real Easy.
Gates for the Saturday races are open from 11am for entry to the Grandstand, Club Enclosure and Champagne Lawn, with the race times beginning at 1.20pm and the centrepiece Gold Cup race kicking off at 3.40pm
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