Racecourse Developments

Following the completion of the recent Stable Block, Café and East Lothian Outdoor Education Centre the next significant development will be an upgrade to the Irrigation System and Track Improvement Works.

Track Improvement Works include cambering the winning post bend which, currently has an adverse camber and is tight, with a radii of 70-90 metres compared to the industry standard of 135 metres. Cambering the bend will make it easier and safer for horses to navigate and moving the winning post back by 15 metres will ensure that horses are not being asked to turn immediately after crossing the winning line.

The back straight is currently undulating and to improve safety and the injury risk to horses it requires levelling.

The radii of the ‘bottom’ bend could be further improved by being extended.

The racecourse irrigation system will be upgradedin the Winter/Spring 2012. This will involve upgrading the irrigation supply pipe ring main which runs around the inside of the racetrack. It will increase the capacity of the watering system significantly. It currently takes two days to water the racetrack but with the new system this will be reduced to one. During uncertain weather this will greatly improve the track management capabilities which will improve the safety of the track. The new ring main and watering system will also have the capacity to service the Golf Course, greatly improving the capability of the Green Keeper to irrigate the Old Course.

The aim is to make Musselburgh Racecourse a ‘Grade 1’ dual-purpose (flat and jump) turf track.