Hamilton Park Racecourse

Infobox UK Racecourse
Name = Hamilton Park


Caption = Hamilton Park Racecourse logo
Website = http://www.hamilton-park.co.uk
Location = Hamilton, Scotland
Owner = Hamilton Park Trust
Opened = 1782
Channel = Racing UK
CourseType = Flat
NotableRaces = Glasgow Stakes
Prev = Great Yarmouth Racecourse
Next = Haydock Park

Hamilton Park Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue in Scotland to the south of Glasgow. It is a flat racing venue, with a season which runs from May to September.

Its postal address is Hamilton Racecourse, Bothwell Road, Hamilton, Lanarkshire ML3 0ZD.

Racing has been staged in Hamilton since 1782 and it is now part of Scotland’s great sporting heritage. More than two centuries worth of punters have visited the course wanting to place a bet or simply just enjoy a grand day out at the races.History of Hamilton Park

Several landmark events in racing have occurred on Hamilton Park’s grounds. On July 18th 1947 it became the first course in Britain to stage an evening fixture while on May 8th 1971 the racecourse became the first to hold a morning meeting. These innovations would become commonplace for racecourses around the country.

The present racecourse opened in 1926 and since 1973 it has been owned by the Hamilton Park Trust which ploughs back all profits into developing the course.

Hamilton Park is noted for its reputation of mixing good quality racing with glamour and entertainment. Top jockeys like Frankie Dettori appearing at the racecourse and live music performances from the likes of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jason Donovan and Dannii Minogue have helped establish Hamilton Park as Scotland’s most high profile racecourse. Chief Executive

Former Livingston FC chief executive Vivien Kyles replaced Alastair Warwick who moved onto Ascot in June 2008.

Hamilton Park 2008 Fixtures

Cancer Research UK Family Day 4th MayBraveheart Night 16th MayCash for Kids Silver Bell Night 11th JuneSunday Mail Family Night 12th JulyJohn Smith’s Fair Friday 18th JulyLadies Night 2nd August

Cash for Kids Silver Bell Night

This Summer the Silver Bell came out of storage and was the guest of honour at Hamilton Park’s Cash for Kids Silver Bell Night.

Earlier this year Hamilton Park emerged victorious over its rivals in the hotly contested battle to host the Bell, which is thought to be the world’s oldest sporting trophy. It was one of the main attractions at the course’s 11th June meeting.

Lanark racecourse was once the Silver Bell’s proud host and was raced for annually but it has laid in council vaults now for more than 30 years.

Community councillors decided that it was time for the Bell to shine once more and when locals were given the opportunity to vote for where the Bell should be raced, the majority felt the trophy should remain in its home county and that Hamilton was the rightful choice.Cash for Kids Silver Bell Night replaced Saints and Sinners Night, which has moved to its new home at Ayr Racecourse, as the charity event of the year. Tickets for the Racecourse are available by calling 01698 283 806 or via the official website below.

= External links =

* [http://www.hamilton-park.co.uk Official site]
* [http://www.gg.com/hamilton Course guide on GG.COM]
* [http://www.attheraces.com/course.asp?CID=27 Course guide on At The Races]