Local tree surgeon Nick Mills produced the winner, nine-year old Scraps, who gained a win in the Forest Handicap race over six furlongs under the guidance of Titch Boyd.

Scraps certainly showed great promise for this year’s race after winning the Beltane Bell, Lindean Chase and Musselburgh Cups in 2008.

Mills’ second horse Oneroa took second place in the Peatlaw handicap. The local trainer said he was “extremely pleased” with the result. The last win for a Selkirk horse was W.J. who took top spot in 1971 albeit after a steward’s enquiry ruled out the first passed the post.

Friday’s race meeting saw locals give their overwhelming support for the Rig, despite fears three years ago that Scotland’s oldest race meeting would be scrapped due to lack of numbers. This year record numbers attended.

Opening the 2009 races was the Victuallers Seven Furlong Handicap, which saw Compare the Meerkat get up on the line, which justified his odds-on price.

Coming all the way up from Yorkshire was Mark Lawson, who was rewarded with his first winner on the flapping circuit. Highfield Prince, ridden by Hawick jockey Bruce Gibson, stole the victory in the big race of the day, The Golden Mile. In a dramatic climax, Croc of Gold finished in second place.

The event, an ancient tradition which has its roots in the early 17th century, has had its up and downs in the past. In 2006, The Wee Paper emphasised the need for support when only seven entries for the three races were submitted.

The committee that year adopted a “use it or lose it” policy, scrapping every race but one, to try and gain support from locals and racing fans.

Craig Stanners, chairman of the Rig committee, told us: “It has been a tough few years for us.”

He added: “Things are now looking up and last weekend has contributed greatly to securing the future of the Common Riding meeting. It was a great day and I can’t thank the hard-working Rig committee enough for all the effort they have put in to make the event such a success. I also thank the people of Selkirk and surrounding areas for turning out to support us.”

Selkirk Provost Jim Henderson added his congratulations.

He told us: “What an excellent weekend. Both the Rig and the Common Riding Games were a great success and I congratulate everyone involved in making that so.”

Mr Stanners now shares high hopes for the races in years to come: “Because of this year’s success we will also now be able to afford to continue the improvements to the course which will in turn attract more entries for the racing. The future is certainly looking brighter.”