While the owners of Ayr racecourse, Alan Macdonald and Richard Johnstone, do not want to let their prized possession go it seems as though they have no choice as the credit crunch continues to hit the horse racing world. Ambitious plans to add a casino, hotel and concert hall to the venue have been shelved but it is the collapse of the property market which has seen the course put up for sale.
Even though the deadline for expressions of interest is not until the 3rd November it is rumoured that out of the five bids currently on the table at least two are from the Middle East. Figures of £14 million have been in circulation and it seems as though the rich oil barons on the Middle East don’t just want to dominate the sport they want to be involved at grass roots level.
It looks as though football does not have the monopoly on rich Middle East benefactors and there are rumours that the potential new owners have massive plans for the venue. While Ayr has enjoyed something of a resurgence of late this is nothing compared to the race course’s heyday many years ago!
While the owners of Ayr racecourse, Alan Macdonald and Richard Johnstone, do not want to let their prized possession go it seems as though they have no choice as the credit crunch continues to hit the horse racing world. Ambitious plans to add a casino, hotel and concert hall to the venue have been shelved but it is the collapse of the property market which has seen the course put up for sale.