The first race in Hamilton was in 1782 at a site in Chatelherault, situated just outside the town.
In 1785 the course had 3 fixtures.
Up until 1907 there was jump racing at Hamilton.
The course closed in 1907.

Racing moved to the current site on Bothwell Road in 1926 having raised £100,000 to revive racing – making it one of the newest courses in the country and meaning there were two courses in Lanarkshire – with Lanark Racecourse closing in 1977.
Hamilton Park was the first racecourse in the country to stage an evening meeting in 1947, something that is now common place throughout the industry.
A Trust was formed in 1973 to secure racing at Hamilton Park at all time.

In 2010, Hamilton Park was the first racecourse in the country to hold and sell out a standalone concert event without racing.

In 2015, Hamilton Park will become the first racecourse in Scotland and the first small independent racecourse in the UK to offer free customer Wi-Fi.

Recent Awards

ROA Gold Standard Award holders since 2008

2010 – Visit Scotland 4 Star Visitor Attraction, RCA Showcase – Winner – Events (JLS Concert)

2011 – Visit Scotland 4 Star Visitor Attraction, RCA Showcase – Winner – Raceday Experience, Top 25 Best Places to Work in Scotland, Lanarkshire Business Excellence Award – Winner – Tourism

2012 – Visit Lanarkshire 4 Star Visitor Attraction

2013 – Visit Lanarkshire 4 Star Visitor Attraction, Racecourse Catering Awards – Scottish Racecourse Caterer of the Year, Best Fast Food Mobile Experience at a Racecourse and Best Supplier for Equis Ice Cream, RCA Showcase – Finalist – Owners & Trainers Experience

2014 – Visit Lanarkshire 4 Star Visitor Attraction, Groundstaff of the Year – Best Flat Course in UK, Racecourse Catering Awards – Best Fast Food Mobile Experience at a Racecourse and Most Effective Brand at a Racecourse, Association of Scottish Businesswomen – Best Charity/Business Partnership, RCA Showcase – Finalist – Corporate Social Responsibility, All About The Horse.

2015 – VS 4 Star Visitor Attraction.  RCA Showcase – Winner – Racing Post Readers Award for Customer Experience, Finalists – Operational Excellence.  ROA Annual Awards – Finalist, Best Small Racecourse.  IOG Annual Awards – Runner Up, Horse racing grounds team of the year.