Live music, entertainment and a disco VW are not the usual components that spring to mind when it comes to a day at the races.

However, Musselburgh Racecourse had it all.

We were lucky enough to be invited along for the day* for the Caledonian Cup and from the moment we stepped into the racecourse to the moment we hastily had to leave, it was the perfect family day out.

My experience of horse racing dates back to childhood memories. My dad and grandad are both massive fans of horse racing and my dad used to take me along on Sundays to race days across Scotland before I took up horse riding throughout my school years.

From those memories of sitting on my dad’s shoulders to get a view of the parade ring while picking the ‘prettiest’ horse to win fast-forwarding to 2018 walking into the course standing beside my dad many years later, it was a day that brought back reminiscences while creating new memories.

Starting our day with a live music soundtrack thanks to acoustic sets behind the Grandstand, we enjoyed a Caledonian Beer tasting at the Pommery Champagne Lawn to get us in the mood for the race day ahead. Out of the beers we sampled, Maltsmiths was the overall voted winner with its light and refreshing taste a surprising twist on the traditional lager.

Settling down at our table on the Pommery Lawn with race cards at the ready to pick out our horses, we were soon treated to three giant food platters to match our beer tasting looking set to feed the whole lawn not just our table…

Packed to the edges with copious amounts of food, the sharing platters featuring seafood, meat and cheese. With salmon, crab and the nicest mackerel I’ve ever had that was a flavoursome treat on top of crackers to a meat platter with chicken, beer and terrine before finishing off with a generously piled cheese platter with chutney and huge slabs of cheese.

Despite sharing between four (and my grandad insisting he’d skipped breakfast to make the most of the food), we still didn’t manage to finish all the platters in one go, but the bonus was this meant we had cheese and crackers to snack on throughout the day while we sipped on Champagne and picked our winners – what more could you want?! Far from the days of sipping on a can of juice while eating chips between races.

Each mouthful was as delicious as the first and as my grandad who was with us on the day has a gluten allergy, the racecourse couldn’t have been more accommodating, making sure he had separate food to nibble while letting us know which items on the platter he was able to enjoy.

With plenty of food options scattered across Musselburgh Racecourse, this gives you the chance to enjoy the day at your own pace with plenty of substance to keep you going. You could select a full sit-down meal, grab some grub on-the-go or enjoy a bite in one of the venue’s many bars with pre-paid packages available right through from a pie and a pint to a Pommery Champagne experience.

With a table on the Pommery lawn reserved for our group, this gave us the chance to wander across the course between races and meant we had a reserved area to relax in throughout the day with the chance to pop across to the parade ring to make our selections or before strolling through the tunnel to get in amongst the action to watch a track side. We were also invited to use the Pommery Bar area to enjoy a drink inside when the autumnal night drew in, featuring plenty of screens to watch the action from the races.

On the day, our host couldn’t have been more attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed and constantly making sure we were enjoying ourselves. From bringing blankets to when it got a little chilly to ensuring our glasses were always full, it was without a doubt a true VIP experience at the horse racing while we sipped on Pommery champagne – a great way to celebrate our winnings – somehow we managed 5 winners between our group!

It wasn’t all about sipping and tucking in, there was plenty of action from the races themselves with adrenalin in the air the moment you walked through to the grandstands to catch the races up close to the live music easing us in to the day and even ‘horse racing’ space-hopper style, which ensued hilarity no matter what age, before ‘boogying on down’ in what we best described as the ‘party tent’ with Funkwagen.

Racedays are known for accommodating various age groups and Musselburgh Races encapsulates this with ease. Our group had a fantastic day out, despite our varied interests and ages, there was truly an aspect for everyone.  My Dad and Grandad are avid horse racing fans and both exclaimed it was one of the best days they’ve ever experienced at the races and considering they’re even been to Aintree for the Grand National, I think that says it all!

The Caledonian Cup left us with plenty of memories and even money in our pockets!

The next race day is on September 30th and we thoroughly recommend you head along for a family day out!

*Our day at Musselburgh Races was complimentary in exchange for a review. All content is my own thoughts surrounding the day. You can read my full disclaimer here*