There is some high quality racing in store at Hamilton Park Racecourse over the next few weeks as another hugely successful season builds towards its September finale.
The final highlights will come in the form of the already renowned historic Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Handicap taking centre stage in an action packed card on 28 August. A second Class 3 handicap will take the total value of the evening fixture to a fantastic £62,000.
This will be the eighth running of the Silver Bell at Hamilton Park and the trophy is believed by many to be the oldest sporting trophy in existence, dating back to 1165 when it was thought to have been gifted to the people of Lanark by King William ‘The Lion’ of Scotland.
The reinstated Hamilton Park 2-Y-O series, last staged in 2007, has been highly anticipated by race-goers. This bespoke series, which has the fresh commercial backing of Highland Spring, has seen 10 qualifying rounds over the summer exclusively at Hamilton Park, resulting in around 70 potential contenders being eligible for the £20,000 Final on Tuesday 1 September.
The grand finale for the season will take place on 28 September, which has been given added focus by moving the £25,000 Class 2 Conditions Sprint to give the end of the season a definitive feature race.
The final of the Apprentice Series will also be staged and the winner of the Leading Owner of the Season will see their colours flown above the grandstand in recognition of their achievement.
Record numbers of race-goers have flocked to Hamilton Park this season and been entertained by high quality racing attracted in part by increased prize money which saw a £900,000 pot up for grabs.
Clerk of the Course, Hazel Peplinski, promises there is still great racing to come. She said: “The Horsemen’s support of Hamilton Park’s season thus far has been extremely pleasing with six fixtures still to go. Field sizes have held up well despite more than our fair share of rain and we’ve had some class acts along the way to celebrate as well. There’s some wonderful racing ahead in the next few weeks which will ensure the season really ends on a high note. We’ve enhanced the quality of our already unmissable Lanark Silver Bell night with the addition of a second Class 3 Handicap as well as the Highland Spring Water Hamilton Park 2-Y-O Series which will culminate in the series final on 1 September. Another significant boost is the new £10,000 Selling Stakes named after prolific winning mare Hopes N Dreams who herself started her winning streak as a Seller at Hamilton Park but has now won over £40,000 at the South Lanarkshire venue including a Class 2 Conditions Stakes.”