Musselburgh Racecourse Guide

Welcome to our official guide to Musselburgh Racecourse.

Our teams explore this great flat and jumping racecourse in detail, looking at its history, a guide to the tracks, the top hotel picks, full fixtures, travel information, and betting guides.

If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Musselburgh, check out our full guide to Musselburgh Racecourse tips.

Find out more about Musselburgh Racecourse:

Overview of Musselburgh Racecourse

Just six miles outside Edinburgh, Musselburgh is second in size only to Ayr when it comes to Scottish racecourses.

Operating meets throughout the year, with a range of flat and national hunt races, Musselburgh is most celebrated for its Sensational Six events – half a dozen of the most prestigious occasions in Scottish racing.

Musselburgh has a 1.25-mile right-handed oval track, often celebrated for it’s perfectly flat racing surface.

The track has a pair of very sharp turns so nimble and agile horses are better suited to the terrain than hardy gallopers. Although the going makes Musselburgh ideal for flat meets, it’s the jumps events at the track that carry the greatest reward.

Musselburgh is a fairly relaxed course, without any formal dress code. Attire suited to the Scottish climate is most important, though naturally, dressing to impress leaves visitors with a chance to win prizes – especially on Ladies Day.

Musselburgh Racing Tips

History of Musselburgh Racecourse

While races have taken place in Musselburgh since 1777, with races such as Edinburgh Cup, however, the racecourse has endured a chequered history.

The arrival of legal betting shops on the Scottish high street in the early 1960s plunged local racecourses into financial difficulty. Musselburgh fell into decline and stared down the barrel of bankruptcy for decades, almost going to the wall on countless occasions.

East Lothian Council took responsibility for management of Musselburgh in 1991, improving the financial fortunes of the venue.

1995 completed a reversal of fortune following £7.5m of investment, due to partnership with the Lothians Racing Syndicate. The Queen’s Stand and Link’s Pavilion were built, the Edwardian Grandstand was refurbished, and the track was re-laid and improved. This has led to Musselburgh’s current standing as a major location for British horseracing.

Musselburgh Racecourse Maps

Below are the two maps of the Musselburgh Racecourse.

Musselburgh Flat Racecourse

Below is the map of Musselburgh’s Racecousre:

Musselburgh’s flat racing track is right-handed and sharp.

This means it tends to suit handy racers more than traditional gallopers.

On the straight course, the runners tend to come down the stands rail.

The racecourse is also known as one of the best draining in the country, meaning that conditions rarely get too heavy.

Musselburgh Jumps Track

Below is the Musselburgh jumps map:

Similar to the flat course it is right-handed and oval.

It is 10 furlongs per circuit.

Again the tightness of the track means it suits those ridden handier and with natural speed.

There are 8 steeplechase fences or six flights of hurdles (three in each straight nowadays) per circuit.

Is there a draw bias at Musselburgh Racecourse?

There seems to be a slight draw bias in favour of horses drawn high in sprint races at Musselburgh, especially over the five-furlong distance.

The advantage is not overwhelming, but there is a small edge for horses drawn high in the shortest races. In terms of the other distances, there is no significant draw bias.

Musselburgh is known for being a relatively fair course with few biases. The straight is quite short, and the bend is quite tight, meaning that inside runners can often find themselves in trouble.

This is particularly true over the sprint distances, where the draw can be more significant.

What is the Draw Bias at Musselburgh 5 Furlongs?

In regards to the draw bias at Musselburgh for 5 furlongs, it seems that there is a slight advantage for horses drawn low when the ground is good or better.

However, when the ground becomes soft, there is no significant bias in terms of the draw. It is important to note that this analysis is based on a limited sample size, and further data is needed to confirm this bias.

It is also worth mentioning that the 5 furlongs at Musselburgh is run on a straight track, which is generally considered to be fairer for all runners in terms of the draw.

So even if there is a slight bias towards low drawn horses, it may not have as much of an impact as it would on a course with a bend.

What is the Draw Bias at Musselburgh 7 Furlongs?

Based on the available data, there seems to be a slight bias towards high drawn runners at Musselburgh over 7 furlongs. However, this bias is not significant enough to rely on, and the results may vary depending on the ground conditions and other factors.

It’s worth noting that the sample size of races over 7 furlongs at Musselburgh is relatively small, so it’s difficult to draw definitive conclusions.

Nonetheless, high drawn runners seem to have performed slightly better over this distance, which could be attributed to the right-hand turn at the end of the back straight.

What is the Draw Bias at Musselburgh 1 Mile?

There doesn’t appear to be any significant draw bias at Musselburgh over the one-mile distance.

The results indicate an even spread across the stalls, suggesting that the starting position doesn’t offer an advantage to any particular side of the track.

Although, it’s worth noting that the track layout and weather conditions may impact the draw bias from race to race.

It’s important to consider that while there may not be a draw bias at Musselburgh over a mile, other factors such as pace and form could still play a crucial role in determining the outcome of a race.

It’s crucial to analyse all aspects of a race and consider different variables when selecting horses.

Musselburgh Racecourse Address

The official address of Musselburgh Racecourse is:

Musselburgh Racecourse
Linkfield Road
Musselburgh
East Lothian
EH21 7RG

How to Get To Musselburgh Races

The best ways to get to Musselburgh Racecourse are:

• By car – the racecourse is just a mile from the A1 and clearly signposted as soon as you’re in the vicinity. Details for the sat nav are – Linkfield Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 7RG
• By train – Wallyford Station is even closer, though you’ll likely need to change trains to gain access to this provincial station. An alternative is to take a bus from Edinburgh City Centre – Musselburgh is served by routes 26, 44, 106, 113, 124 and X24.
• By air – if you wish to fly, Edinburgh airport will get you there, or the rail station will also be served by taxis.

As Musselburgh is so close to Edinburgh, it’s very easily accessed from both sides of the border.

Best Hotels Near Musselburgh

The Edinburgh A1 Premier Inn is the closest – and cheapest – hotel to Musselburgh Racecourse at just 1.5 miles away. The same chain also has another hotel on the A1, dubbed the Newcraighall Hotel, a little further afield.

The Best Western King’s Manor is comparable in price and distance to these Premier Inns.

Alternatively, if you’d rather eschew road noise for a more authentic Scottish experience, check out the Carberry Tower Mansion House and Estate.

This is a little over two miles away, and the building will take your breath away.

Main Races and Musselburgh Meetings

Musselburgh has a packed calendar of jumps and flat races throughout the year. Offering meets from New Year’s Day right through to December, there is sure to be a race day for you on the Musselburgh fixture list.

• January – Musselburgh opens the calendar year with a bang with a Sensational Six event on New Year’s Day, which includes a full array of jumps races. This is followed by two further jump race days later in the month.
• February – February is another gala month for Musselburgh, thanks to the Scottish Cheltenham Trials Weekend that unfolds over the first Saturday and Sunday in the calendar. This Sensational Six event is headlined by the prestigious Edinburgh National. Another jumps meet is typically held later in the month.
• March – March is slightly lower-key, but it still boasts two jump meetings across the month. If Easter Sunday happens to fall in March, this will also be celebrated with a Sensation Six event, including the Queen’s Cup race and the recently added Royal Mile Chase.
• April – As discussed previously, Easter Sunday will see a Sensational Six event if the calendar allows. Even if this isn’t the case, April opens with the Return of the Flats curtain-raiser at the beginning of the month. This event usually hosts the Scottish Sprint Cup.
• May – May will typically see three Flat meets take place at Musselburgh.
• June – June sees the next Sensational Six event at Musselburgh. Ladies Day at the venue is considered the highlight of the Scottish racing calendar and is host to the Maggie Dickson Stakes.
• July – This month sees a standard flat racing meet, and a Family Day at the end of the month.
• August – This is a bumper month in the Musselburgh calendar with four Flat meets. Three of these are traditional fixtures, but August also sees another Family Day that hosts the Archerfield Cup.
• September – September is arguably the biggest month at Musselburgh. Things open with a standard flat meet, but this is followed by two Sensational Six events – The Caledonian Cup race day, and the Supporting Your Services Family Day.
• October – After all the excitement of September, October is lower-key. One standard Flat meet takes place in the middle of the month.
• November – The beginning of November sees the Return of the Jumps event, which marks the recommencement of the jumps season. A second meet unfolds later in the month.
• December – Musselburgh closes out its annual future list with two jumping meets, usually at the start of the month.

Always be sure to confirm if a racing event is going ahead before travelling to Musselburgh.

All race meets are subject to change due to a wide array of external circumstances, including but not limited to the famously unpredictable Scottish weather.

We always recommend viewing the runners and riders at the superb parade ring at Musselburgh as well.

Other Events Held at Musselburgh Racecourse

Like most racecourses, Musselburgh is available for private hire throughout the year. Unlike others, however, it boasts a golf course within the grounds. This is owned and operated by the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club, which manage reservations and bookings.

You’ll need to make arrangements directly, as Musselburgh Racecourse keeps its gates closed on non-race days.

Summary of Musselburgh Racecourse

Set in beautiful East Lothian, Musselburgh is a great Scottish racecourse.

It has a packed schedule throughout the year hosting quality jumps and flat racing.

Lively informed racing crowds, mix with families and those on a day out, making it a truly great occasion whenever you choose to go.

Whether you are looking for a day out or serious top-end racing Musselburgh offers you that.

It’s a racecourse the team here at British Racecourses love to go to at any time of year!