Stunning silverware on show at Hamilton Park Racecourse

A ding-dong double bill of racing comes to Hamilton Park Racecourse this week as the historic Lanark Silver Bell returns to the venue for the tenth running of the prestigious race.

Build up to the Friday night fixture begins the previous evening, on Thursday August 24, with the Sodexo Scottish Trophy Racenight.

The fantastic racenights will see some impressive silverware and an incredible £130,000 in prize money up for grabs over the two nights.

Vivien Currie, Chief Executive at Hamilton Park Racecourse, said: “We are very excited about this week’s racing.

“Thursday sees the reinstatement of The Lord Hamilton of Dalzell Memorial Challenge Cup which will be presented to the winner of the recently upgraded Sodexo Scottish Trophy Handicap Stakes. It was produced in memory of Gavin George-Hamilton, 2nd Baron Hamilton of Dalzell, after his death in 1952, and is coming back with permission of the current Lord Hamilton of Dalzell.

“The peer played a key role in securing the return of racing to Hamilton Park Racecourse in 1926, and helped come up with a new location for the course that year and the idea of the unique ‘buttonhook’ shape of the track.

“Then, on Friday, we have one of our most popular racenights, the Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell. The iconic trophy, which as we all know is believed to be one of the oldest sporting trophies in existence, is always a big draw for punters, and we also have some top action off the track with a high-octane set from legendary DJ George Bowie and his GBX Anthems.”

The Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Racenight is of huge significance to the local area with the highlight of the evening the historic Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Handicap Stakes (Class 3) and its £26,000 prize pot.

The trophy dates back to 1165 when it was thought to have been gifted to the people of Lanark by King William ‘The Lion’ of Scotland.

The original historic silverware will be on display on the night alongside the Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell trophy, commissioned and presented for the first time in 2012.

The night will also see the return of the Ladbrokes SPFL mascot race, although there is a question mark over whether Hamilton Park Racecourse’s own Duke will make the field after he broke his curfew at the Ladies’ Night after-party.

Gates for both action packed evenings will open at 3pm.

Thursday’s first race is at 5.10pm, while Friday’s action gets underway at 5.30pm. GBX Anthems will take to the decks after the last race on Friday. Children under-18 go free. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.