St. James's Palace Stakes
Ayrshire's sire, Hampton was a successful stayer who won both the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup. Hampton was Champion sire in 1887 and sired, in addition to Merry Ayrshire, the Derby winners Ladas and Merry Hampton as well as the influential sires Bay Ronald and Royal Hampton. Ayrshire’s dam Atalanta, who had once been sold for half a Crown, was a successful racehorse who went on to produce several good winners including the St. James's Palace Stakes winner Troon.