A RECORD-breaking 9000 guests are set to attend Musselburgh Racecourse’s famous Ladies Day this summer – after the event sold out nine weeks in advance.
All tickets for the 14 June event have been snapped up as Scotland’s Stobo Castle Ladies Day celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Tickets for the exclusive event were snapped up by Edinburgh’s elite 63 days beforehand.
Racecourse bosses have ordered over 1000 bottles of the finest bubbly for their well-heeled visitors, available from £49.
Fast becoming the hottest event in the Scottish social calendar, a £3000 cash prize is awarded for the best dressed lady.
The £100,000 William Hill Scottish Sprint Cup is the racecourses richest ever race, attracting punters from all over Scotland.
Musselburgh Racecourse commercial manager, Mary-Ann Sandercock, said: “Ladies Day at Musselburgh has become a runaway sell-out success on the Scottish social calendar.
“Thousands look forward to each year and the ladies, and men, really go the extra mile to look special for the big day.
“Young girls on a budget will spend wisely, make savvy choices about dresses, accessories and hats and look stunning.
“While those with more disposable income will spend several hundred pounds each to stand out from the crowd.
“The overall effect is that Ladies Day is one massive splash of colour, fashion and most of all fun, all washed down with around £50,000 worth of bubbly.”
Hospitality packages sold out in February, despite bosses increasing the capacity from 7500 to 9000 to meet demand.
Bosses are spending over £600 on free bottles of water for punters, over £6,000 on flowers and another £6,000 to give the course a face-lift for the big day.
And shelling out £14,000 on additional toilet facilities and £50,000 on marquee facilities to meet demand and make the day another huge success.
Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth, said: “We are blown away by the huge appeal of this event.
“There are few who can question Musselburgh’s claim that we have established one of the UK’s most successful Ladies Days.
“We didn’t get to this position by accident and we have consistently invested more each year to improve the experience and make it the best social event on the Scottish racing calendar.
“Getting a leading brand like Stobo Castle on board as our long term sponsor has been a game changer and we have established a proper partnership which benefits both parties.
“Last year the atmosphere at Ladies Day was incredible and many thought it was our best yet, but our aim is to constantly make improvements and keep the crowds coming back for more.”
Musselburgh’s Edinburgh Cup meeting the week before Ladies Day on 7 June could now benefit from the Ladies Day sell-out.
Farnsworth added: “The Edinburgh Cup meeting already attracts a 6000 plus crowd and we expect those disappointed at not being able to go to Ladies Day will be make that their big summer racing day out, but they should book in advance to avoid a second disappointment.”
Musselburgh sells its own extras for those who forget vitals, such as coloured sunglasses, plasters, heel grips, sun cream, fleeces, ponchos, umbrellas and flip flops.
Last years biggest sellers were flip flops and sunglasses and I love Sushi sold out its entire 5000 unit stock after high demand.
There are seven permanent public bars at the racecourse which will be supplemented by two marquee bars, Edinburgh Gin pop up and Pommery Champagne.
If the sun decides to make an appearance punters can enjoy two ice bars selling refreshments and 8 mobile units selling beer in the hospitality and trackside marquees.
