The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for food and drink at Ayr?

The Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) is an occasional series, in which we report from each of Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing.

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Ayr

Ayr

Date visited: Thursday, September 15, 2022

Was it a big day?

Bigger than the last, not as big as the next. The Ayr Gold Cup meeting starts with a card that is better than most here, with a Class 2 race and a couple of Class 4s, but not as good as what is to come over the next two days.

How much was entry on the gate?

£18 in the Grandstand enclosure, £26 in the Club.

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and beverage options?

Ayr is a big place and has the catering options to cope with a huge crowd, with seven public bars, a champagne bar and several mobile outlets.

Not everywhere was open on this quieter day – the Smokehouse Grill by the parade ring was shut but the next door Coffee & Donuts (their spelling, not mine) was serving.

The Colours Cafe in the Ayrshire Suite was the handiest option for lunch, offering cheeseburgers or chicken fillet sandwiches at £6 and steak baguettes at £7.50.

Those looking for more of a pick-me-up could buy a spirit and a mixer for £5, while a hugely popular option is a bottle of Moet & Chandon spritzer, champers with added orange liqueur – they apparently fly out of the door at £40 a pop.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: Free
Cheapest pint: £6 (£4.70 at usual meetings)
Guinness: £6 (£5 normally)
Champagne: £40
Cheeseburger: £6

All drink prices taken from the main racecourse bar, or where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random.

What was the burger like?

Credit: David Carr

Not cordon bleu – it was a cheeseburger after all – but not at all unpleasant either, with salad thrown in.

And the queues?

Not a real issue on a day like this.

How did it go down with the punters?

Liam O'Hear from Glasgow said: "I go racing to all the Scottish courses and the standard is pretty similar. I had a cheeseburger today and it was all right, the price wasn't great but you don't have any other option."

Read more from the Racecourse Prices Index series:

How much for food and drink on a hot day at Ripon?

How much for food and drink at Newcastle?

How much for food and drink at Beverley?

How much for food and drink at Bath?

How much for food and drink at Ludlow?

How much for food and drink at York?

How much for food and drink at Haydock?

How much for food and drink at Goodwood?

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