Hamilton Park Racecourse

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Hamilton Park Racecourse is a flat thoroughbred horse-racing venue in Hamilton, Scotland, just south of Glasgow. The season runs from May to September, featuring races such as the Braveheart Stakes, Glasgow Stakes, Lanark Silver Bell, and the Scottish Stewards’ Cup.

The first racing at Hamilton began in 1782 at a site in Chatelherault, just outside the town. By 1785 there were three fixtures and jump racing continued until 1907 when the course closed. In 1926 racing moved to its current location on Bothwell Road after raising £100,000 to revive the sport. The new course opened with a two-day meeting on 16–17 July 1926, attracting 30,000 spectators on the Friday and even more on the Saturday. It became one of the newest courses in the country and helped Lanarkshire become home to two courses (Lanark Racecourse closed in 1977). Hamilton Park was also the first course in Britain to stage an evening meeting, in 1947. A Trust was formed in 1973 to secure racing for the long term, and since then the Hamilton Park Trust has owned the course, reinvesting all profits to improve it.

The Lanark Silver Bell is one of Britain’s oldest racing trophies, though its origins are disputed. It disappeared for many years and was rediscovered in 1836 in Lanark Town Council’s vaults. Some believe it dates back to around 1165, with hallmarks later dating to the late 16th century. The Bell was the prize for the Lanark Silver Bell races, and winners were sometimes awarded a replica or the authentic trophy for special years. The last running of the event was in 1977. In 2008, Tifernati won the renewed Silver Bell, followed by winners such as Record Breaker in 2009. In 2012 a new Silver Bell Trophy was created to accompany the relic, crafted in 100% sterling silver. In 2022, the Lanark Silver Bell was upgraded to a £100,000 Heritage Handicap as part of broader investments in the race programme.

Hamilton Park is known for blending high-quality racing with glamour and entertainment. Top jockeys like Frankie Dettori have appeared there, and the venue has hosted live music acts from Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Saturdays, The Wanted, Heather Small, and Dario G. It has also hosted stand-alone concerts by JLS in 2010, with The Saturdays and X Factor finalists Olly Murs, Stacey Solomon, and Danyl Johnson also appearing. In 2011, The Wanted and Westlife performed, and in 2012 Tom Jones, Peter Andre, and Steps returned for further shows.