Excitement is building for Racing Welfare’s annual ARC Malton Open Day, as horseracing fans prepare to follow their favourite horses from the stables to York Racecourse this Sunday (10th September).
Of the 11 trainers that are opening their doors to the public this weekend, five have entered horses to run at the YorkMix Family Sunday Raceday. With the Malton Open Day trainers entering a total of 23 horses across the seven-race meeting, visitors to the stables have a unique chance to catch a glimpse of the equine athletes at home during the morning before they head to the racecourse to compete against other horses from across the country just a few hours later.
Local entries come from the yards of Tim Easterby, Richard Fahey, Roger Fell & Sean Murray, Adrian Keatley and Nigel Tinkler. Nigel Tinkler, who potentially runs four horses at the meeting, including Lakota Blue and last time out winner, Squealer, in the closing race of the day, said: “We’ve had quite a few open days over the years and one that really did work well was when everybody [went racing afterwards]. People thoroughly enjoyed it; it was a great day for everyone.”
The Woodland Stables trainer is hopeful that his horses can put on a bold show for those that follow on from the yard to the racecourse: “Squealer’s got top weight and he won quite well at Doncaster last time. Lakota Blue ran and finished second at the Goodwood Festival, then was a little disappointing [in his next race] but… hopefully he can bounce back and run a respectable race.”
Not only do ticketholders have the opportunity to follow their favourite horses to the track, they also have the chance to meet this year’s Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes winning jockey, Sean Kirrane, at Tim Easterby’s Habton Grange Stables. The Group 1-winning jockey will be chatting to guests about yard favourites such as Copper Knight, York Racecourse’s winning most racehorse, and offering photo opportunities between 9-10am before he heads to the racecourse in the hope of riding a winner or two!
Combined tickets for both the ARC Malton Open Day and the YorkMix Family Sunday Raceday are available to purchase for £17.50 with all under 18’s going free. Entry to the Malton Open Day only costs £10.
The combined ticket offering includes entry to the Malton Open Day and entry to York Racecourse’s Grandstand & Paddock.
For further information and to book tickets go to: www.maltonopenday.co.uk.