The organisers of one of the country’s best known horse racing festivals are bracing themselves for record crowds.
An appearance by world famous trainer Willie Mullins is expected to draw huge numbers to Perth Racecourse next week.
The former jockey, who has triumphed at events including the Grand National, will be a star attraction at the three-day Perth Festival extravaganza, where he hopes to become the first Irish-based trainer in a generation to land the coveted British National Hunt Champion Trainer title.
Trainer Nicky Henderson, who has 55 Cheltenham Festival winners under his belt, will also be attending.
Their arrival is a major boost to organisers who are already making provisions for a larger than anticipated crowd.
And the event is expected to be especially busy after a new study showed a surge in interest in horse racing across Scotland.
2015 was a record year for the country, thousands of visitors flocking to Scotland’s five main courses.
Perth Racecourse chief executive Hazel Peplinski said: “The Perth Festival is already a very popular fixture in this area, but with Willie gunning for some of our £220,000 prize money, it will add a whole extra dimension to the action on the track.”
Fans will be welcomed to the festival by a flamboyant troupe of samba dancers from the famous Electricat Brazilian Dance Group. They will be making their third appearance at the show.
The event will mark the Queen’s 90th birthday in style on Thursday by releasing a display of golden balloons into the sky.
Visitors can also check out the course’s latest addition, the Crabbie’s Garden, complete with themed double-decker bus. Guests will be able to sit on the top deck to watch the racing action.
Renowned trainer Gordon Elliot, who recorded his first ever win at Perth, will also be honoured during the festival.
Perth Racecourse was built on the site of Scone Palace parklands and was officially opened in 1908. It is the northern-most racecourse in Britain.
The festival begins at midday on Wednesday, with the first race at 2.10pm. There will be seven races each day.
The racing industry pumps about £173 million into the Scottish economy each year and provides full-time work to about 900 people.
