Almost 300,000 people saw horse racing in Scotland last year

Scottish Racing, the marketing organisation for the country's five race courses, said attendance figures were up 8% in 2003.

It is the third successive year that the sport has increased in popularity across Scotland.

Since Scottish Racing was formed four years ago it has invested a total of �6m in the Ayr, Hamilton Park, Kelso, Musselburgh and Perth racecourses.

Increased attendance has also led to a healthy growth in commercial income with sponsorship up 18% and hospitality up by 8%.

Racing to success

Ian Good, the organisation's chairman, said: "Such success is the product of Scottish Racing's long-term commitment to attract more people to go racing in Scotland and to sample the high quality facilities provided."

And Scottish Racing's new marketing manager Ed Watson said: "The announcement of such promising results for 2003 underlines this to be an extremely exciting time."

Scotland's first racing academy is also to open soon in Dunbar.

It has been planned to provide students from all over Scotland with training and a professional qualification in preparation for a guaranteed career within the racing industry.