Ladies Day at the Scottish Grand National Festival 2026: Friday Ayr Racecourse race times, dress code and tickets
It’s time to dig out your fanciest hat.
First taking place in 1858 when it was known as the ‘West of Scotland Grand National’, the Scottish Grand National was originally run at a course near Houston in Renfrewshire.
Objections to the race by local religious leaders saw it move to Bogside Racecourse, near Irvine, which closed in 1965 seeing it moved to its current home at Ayr Racecourse.
The big race takes place on Saturday, but the racing starts a day earlier - when Ladies Day takes over the racecourse and fashion takes equal billing to the sporting spectacle.
Here’s everything you need to know - including how you can experience it yourself.
Where does the Scottish Grand National Festival take place?
The Scottish Grand National Festival takes place at Ayr Racecourse from April 17-18.
Ladies Day is on the Friday, with the Scottish Grand National being run the day after, on Saturday, April 18.
The race is run over a course just shy of four miles long, with 27 jumps, and has the reputation of being one of the toughest tests for horses and jockeys in UK racing.
What races take place on Ladies Day?
There will be seven races run on Ladies Day on Friday, April 17, as follows:
- 1.45pm - Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4YO plus) 2m2
- 2.20pm - Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (5YO plus) 2m ½f3
- 2:55pm - Abbott Risk Consulting Ltd Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m4
- 3:30pm - Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5YO plus) 2m 4½f5
- 4.05pm - Coral Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4YO plus) 2m 5½f6
- 4.43pm - Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4YO plus) 3m ½f7
- 5.15pm - Jardine Utilities Race To Repair 'Hands & Heels' Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals/Amateurs) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m 4½f
The Friday racing highlight is always the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase which boasts one of the longest running sponsorships in racing. The 2025 race was won by the Dan Skelton trained Riskintheground, ridden by Dan’s former champion jockey brother Harry, and winners from Nicky Henderson’s Will Carver with Jedd O’Keefe’s Vintage Fizz back in third.
Can I get tickets to Ladies Day at the Scottish Grand National Festival 2026?
There are still tickets available for 'Ladies Day' on Friday, April 17, from £30 for a grandstand ticket. You can buy them online until 5pm on Thursday, with ticekts then available on the gate from 11.45am on Friday.
The racing on Saturday, April 18, is completely sold out.
What are the different enclosures at Ayr Racecourse?
Depending on how much you are willing to pay you will get access to three different enclosures, as follows:
Club Enclosure
The Club Enclosure grants you access to all Club on-course facilities. Enjoy the exclusive Princess Royal Suite, boasting panoramic views of the racecourse, and relax at the Champagne Lawns adjacent to the Parade Ring. Your club badge also allows access to our live bands and DJ sets.
Grandstand Premier Enclosure
One of two grandstand options this year, the Grandstand Premier ticket offers access to the external grandstand area overlooking the track, rails bookmakers and the Ayrshire Suite on the ground floor of the Princess Royal Stand, complete with multiple bars and a cafe.
Grandstand Enclosure
Grandstand tickets grants entry to the purpose-built Grandstand Enclosure. Enjoy views of the track, diverse food and drinks outlets, betting facilities, and live band performances during and after racing.
What is the dress code for Ladies Day at the 2026 Scottish Grand National Festival?
Both men and women are encouraged to dress to impress - with fancy hats and fascinators very much the order of the day.
The exclusive River Island Style Awards will be taking place on the day, with racegoers invited to take to the catwalk to win a range of great prizes.
The prize categories and catwalk times are as follows:
Most Stylish Hat: 2pm
Most Stylish Lady: 2.25pm
Most Stylish Gent: 3pm
Most Stylish Couple: 3.35pm
What else is happening at Ladies Day at Ayr Racecourse?
The fun doesn’t stop when the last race finishes - after the racing you can enjoy award winning Ellie Sax and her high energy dance set, billed as: “A little bit of Ibiza comes to Ayr!”
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