The ARC sponsored day will see a grand total of 12 yards opening, with over 600 horses in training between them. The day gives the opportunity for the public to see some of the finest racehorses and trainers in the North at their respective homes.

Importantly, the event will raise vital funds for organisers Racing Welfare, who provide a wide range of advice and support services for people working in or retired from racing who make our amazing sport possible.

In 2021, Racing Welfare provided 1,261 instances of support to 149 beneficiaries in the Middleham area. Wider than that, 611 individuals in the North received 3,590 instances of support.

Among those opening their doors is Mark Johnston, who became the winning most trainer in British racing history when he saddled his 4,194th winner in 2018. In 2021, he achieved 200 winners in a calendar year for the ninth time. For 2022, he is joined in a training partnership by his son, Charlie.

Charlie said: “Middleham Open Day is something we’ve been involved in for a long time now. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our facilities and the horses here while supporting the local community – it’s an important day in the calendar.

“It gives us the chance to promote interest in racing, and because the public can see the horses up close and personal it helps to secure our existing fan base and reach new audiences too.

“It’s obviously a big day for the Racing Welfare team too who have a base in Middleham. We certainly have staff here who use their services – particularly the accommodation – and there are probably plenty more that we don’t know about too.”

Visitors to the Kingsley House yard will be able to see horses swimming in the pool throughout the morning, including the 2021 Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist.

Not only does Johnston Racing boast many equine stars, they also have two team members who have been shortlisted in the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff awards, for which judging takes place on Monday 21 February 2022. Paddy Trainor and John Nicholson both received their nominations in the rider / groom category in recognition of their contribution to the yard and the industry.

The full list of trainers welcoming the public include:

Andy Crook                 Ben Haslam                Chris Fairhurst            Danny Brooke

Ed Bethell                   Foulrice Park Racing   James Horton             Jedd O’Keeffe

Mark and Charlie Johnston    Micky Hammond Neil Mechie            Simon West

Yards will be opening from 9:30am-1pm, with a host of activities to follow on Middleham’s Low Moor including a Retraining of Racehorses demo and the Aiskew Equine and Pet Supplies Dog Show.

Tickets are on sale at an early-bird discounted rate of £10 for adults and £6.50 for concessions if purchased before 01 March, with under 16s enjoying free admission.

Go to www.middlehamopenday.co.uk to book.