Tribute Paid To Sam Morshead After Perth Gold Cup Race Is Named In Honour

Perth Racecourse has renamed the Gold Cup, its single richest race, The Sam Morshead Perth Gold Cup Handicap Steeple Chase in honour of the man who revolutionised racing at the Scone track.

Perth will celebrate two decades of the Gold Cup race this Sunday 9 June, with a season-high £40,000 prize pot, and today announced its renaming which has been done with the blessing of Sam Morshead’s family. On Gold Cup Day, Charlie Morshead (Sam’s eldest son) and family will be in attendance as guests of Perth Racecourse and to present the Perth Gold Cup for the renamed race.

UK horse racing mourned the passing of Morshead in October of last year. A successful jump jockey of 400 winners who arrived at Perth as Clerk of the Course in 1998, he became General Manager just five years later, a role that he held for 25 years and during which he spearheaded the creation of Perth’s Gold Cup meeting in 2000.

Hazel Peplinski, Perth Racecourse Chief Executive and Sam’s successor said: “Sam is so affectionately remembered by everyone at Perth, in Scottish Racing and indeed British Racing. I know much of his family well and we have had some fun conversations planning an appropriate tribute that does full justice to Sam’s impact on Scottish Racing which shouldn’t be underestimated.

“When Sam’s family chose to name a race after him there was really only one that would fit that purpose which is the Perth Gold Cup. Twenty years ago, Sam firstly secured the Sunday fixture and then created a quality race programme with the Perth Gold Cup, a Class 2 three-mile Chase at its centre – the whole concept was his baby. Along with the Perth Festival, Sam had the knack of blending a quality event without getting too serious about it – it was all about having plenty of craic. Sam would push the boundaries and helped to establish Perth as friendly, innovative venue which should be on all racing fans’ bucket list. Many of the current team here are the same people and we ensure the fun-loving ethos that Sam established is never lost.”

Speaking on behalf of the family, Charlie Morshead – Sam’s eldest son – said: “We are so pleased that Dad’s contribution to Perth Racecourse and to Scottish and UK racing will be remembered in such a fitting way.

“The Perth Gold Cup was very special to Dad and he was rightly proud of the way it grew in tandem with the rapid development of the racecourse under his management, innovation and drive. We’re very grateful to the current team at Perth for this fantastic gesture; it will be an emotional occasion for all of our family but most of all it will be a day of great pride and one we hope will be enjoyed by a typically energetic and large crowd of Perth racegoers as well.”

The 2019 Gold Cup arrives at Perth following a successful season-opening three-day Festival and a spectacular Ladies Day, for which record advance sales ensured a complete sell-out weeks out from the event. The Scone course will again welcome thousands of racegoers for an afternoon of racing and entertainment on Sunday 9 June, with a seven-race card with total prizemoney of just under £100,000 including the single richest race, now newly renamed. With tickets in high demand again, racegoers are encouraged to buy in advance to ensure their place at one of the true highlights of the Scottish racing calendar.

Advance purchase for all raceday tickets strongly recommended.