More than 20 racehorse trainers will be opening their doors to the public at Malton’s annual open day which takes place in North Yorkshire on Sunday, August 25 offering a unique opportunity to meet the horses, talk to the trainers and to see first hand the area’s racing industry.

The Malton area has been associated with the training of thoroughbreds for more than 300 years and is the third largest training centre in the UK, after Newmarket and Lambourn. The area is home to more than 1000 racehorses and last year they produced the winners of 600 flat races, 150 jump races and more than £4million in prize money.

This year’s open day is sponsored by Betfair and is being staged as a fund raiser for four charities, Malton Hospital, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Jack Berry House and Racing Welfare and to highlight the trainers based in North Yorkshire.

Susannah Gill, Head of Public Affairs at Betfair: “We are thrilled to be sponsoring the Malton Open Day on 25 August; Malton is one of the country’s most established training centres and we are delighted to take on the sponsorship for the first time. We already sponsor the Middleham, Lambourn and Newmarket Open Days which raise money for some brilliant horse racing related charities.”

Many yards will host individual demonstrations such as physiotherapy, equine dentistry and farriery, and there will also be the opportunity to watch  renowned horse whisperer Gary Witheford as he reveals the unique techniques he uses to deal with equine traits and behaviour and there will be a display by Retraining of Racehorses.

Equine celebrity honours go to the 2012 John Smith’s Grand National winner Auroras Encore who will be paraded by his trainer Sue Smith.

Classic winning trainer Tim Easterby, who last year  won the Top Trainer in Yorkshire tilte at the Go Racing in Yorkshire Awards for the fitfth time, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Malton Open Day again. All three of our yards will be open, and all our horses will be on show. There is a tremendous community atmosphere training in this part of England, and the open day is a fantastic opportunity for the public to see what we have to offer, and have a really lovely day out with all the family.”

Malton Market Place looks set to be a hive of activity with the legendary  former jockey-turned-TV presenter John Francome, Jack Berry and David Elsworth taking part in a question and answer session, a display of local racing memorabilia, horseracing photography, a children’s section hosted by the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust and refreshments stands.

Karon Brown, a member of the Malton Racing Association, said: “The aim of the Open Day is to  promote horse racing and Malton and to raise money for four fantastic charities. We are hoping to put on a really fun day out for everyone so that people really get a taste of an incredible sport and a wonderful place for training horses.”

The yards open from  9am until 1pm, with Tim Easterby’s opening half an hour earlier,  and admission is £10 per adult with under 12s free. Admission includes a free park and ride system with a bus every 15 to 20 minutes taking visitors to all the yards in Malton and Norton. Included in the price is a £3 discount off admission at Beverley Races in the afternoon.
  
For more details visit Maltonstablesopenday.co.uk.