Horse racing’s big Saturday meeting at Ayr is under threat after a deluge of rain at the track this morning.
A total of 8.5mm fell in 40 minutes and turned the ground heavy, causing standing water around half-a-furlong from the winning post. The area is unavoidable and will need to be crossed the the horses and jockeys on the final day of three at the Ladbrokes-sponsored festival.
Jockeys including St Leger heroine Saffie Osborne and top northern rider Paul Mulrennan went out to check conditions at 12.20pm and a decision was made to push the first race to 2.30pm. However the seven-race card, which had the feature £180,000 Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup scheduled for 3.40pm, has to pass a second inspection at 1.45pm.
Prior to the call being made, Racing TV presenter Gordon Brown suggested there is a “40 per cent chance of racing.” “There’s slight odds against racing taking place,” he said.
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“The problem area is about half-a-furlong down from the winning post. The rain that fell was of biblical proportions, really heavily and quickly. Lots of the car parks were flooded, the way I have come in all the roads were flooded and there is a showery forecast this afternoon.
“The jockeys have had a look at this area. It’s all the way across so it’s unavoidable. You can’t come past it on the round or straight course and we have two big fields today for the Gold and Silver Cups.”
Trainer Jim Goldie said on ITV he thinks officials could “probably” give the event the green light if it stays dry. “It’s up to the jockeys if they decide it’s not safe,” he said.
“The standing water is gradually getting away but if there’s more rain it’s not going to help things.”
The racecourse, where the Ayr Gold Cup dates back to 1855 as a handicap, is also forecast to have breezy conditions throughout the afternoon.
A post on the British Horseracing Authority racing updates page for Ayr read: “Inspection to be held on Saturday 19-09-2026 at 12:20 due to 8.5mm rain In 40 mins. We have a are of standing water at 1/2 furlong marker.”