Epsom Open Day set to showcase historic training centre
This year’s Epsom Open Day will see the training yards within this historic training centre throw their gates open to the public on Bank Holiday Monday 27th August 2018, followed by an afternoon of family friendly racing at the glorious Epsom Downs Racecourse.
Organised by Racing Welfare and The Jockey Club, Epsom Open Day 2018 forms part of a whole day of Bank Holiday entertainment in Epsom. The morning’s events will give racing fans and local people the opportunity to look behind-the-scenes in the yards of Epsom, facilitated by a hop on/off bus service around the routes to each yard. A mecca of British flat racing’s heritage, the training centre set in the heart of Surrey is enjoying a renaissance and offers the perfect outing for families and horseracing pilgrims alike this August Bank Holiday.
Katy Ferguson, Racing Welfare’s Regional Welfare Officer for Epsom, said
Epsom is a very close-knit racing community and the open day gives the chance for trainers to welcome the public along to meet the horses and people at the heart of horseracing in the area. There is nothing quite like the sight and sound of thoroughbreds working up the gallops, and this experience, combined with the opportunity to visit some very historic and special yards, is something we are very happy to be to bringing to people on the day.
Trainers opening their yard gates to the public this year include James Boyle, Michael Attwater, Pat Phelan, Roger Ingram, Simon Dow, Mark Pattinson, Adam West and the 2016 St Leger winning trainer Laura Mongan. The day starts at 8.30am when horses will be out on the Jockey Club gallops, followed by yards opening to the public from 9.30am. Proceeds from the morning’s events will go to Racing Welfare, with funds raised going to support the charity’s Epsom-based activities.
The action moves to the racecourse in the afternoon, where a variety of Superhero themed activities will be on offer to compliment a full eight-race card. Children’s activities include a climbing wall, face painting, zip wires, a high rope assault course and crocodile encounters. Returning for this year also is the ultra-competitive ‘Hop Til You Drop’ Space Hopper Derby, where many of the racing staff you will have met in the morning get a chance to ‘ride’ up the finishing straight on Epsom Racecourse!
Racing Welfare has had a dedicated presence in Epsom since 2016, recognising the significance of the training centre within the fabric of UK horseracing. The charity provides wide-ranging support to all of those in the area who work in racing in the area. Retired racing staff are also well catered for with monthly coffee mornings, trips and outings, all of which aim to prevent loneliness and social isolation within the community.
Tickets to the event are on sale now at www.epsomopenday.co.uk with adult tickets for the trainers open morning priced at £7.50. A combined ticket to both the open morning and the racing costs just £20 and Under 18s go free all day.