YOUR CHANCE TO MEET STAR SPRINTER SHAQUILLE AT THE ARC MALTON OPEN DAY
Horseracing fans have an exciting opportunity to meet Julie Camacho’s dual Group 1-winning sprinting sensation, Shaquille, next Sunday 10th September as the Malton trainer opens her yard to the public for the annual ARC Malton Open Day. The day forms part of the wider National Racehorse Week initiative and is organised by racing’s human welfare charity, Racing Welfare.
During the morning, 11 racehorse trainers across the historic racing town will throw open their doors to welcome the public behind-the-scenes to meet the horses and the staff that look after them, with recent local winners including Richard Fahey’s Spirit Dancer (a Group 3 winner at York’s Ebor meeting last weekend) and Nigel Tinkler’s Roundhay Park, plus Shaquille’s ever-popular 18-time winning stablemate, Judicial. Thanks to a new partnership with York Racecourse for 2023, visitors will then be invited to continue their family day out at the racecourse’s YorkMix Family Sunday Raceday, where potentially they will follow some of the equine stars from stable to racetrack.
The event looks set to offer the ultimate racing day out for all the family, with York Racecourse offering record prize-money for their seven-race card as well as being joined by popular children’s character, Bluey, with appearances at intervals throughout the day. The additional fun of the day is focused on the younger generation featuring the Entertainment Marquee which is home to free bouncy castles and free face painting.
Racing Welfare’s Head of Community Engagement, Adam Ferguson, said: “We are thrilled to offer the public such a wonderful opportunity to get up close with some of North Yorkshire’s finest equine stars, and thanks go to the trainers for their support in opening their yards to the public. The partnership with York Racecourse this year really does make the Malton Open Day the ultimate family day out, and we look forward to seeing lots of racing fans of all ages enjoying the numerous activities whilst helping raise much-needed funds for our charity.”
Combined entry for visitors to the Malton Open Day is being offered as part of the ongoing support by York Racecourse of Racing Welfare. Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the charity’s wide-ranging support services for everyone working in the industry – people like Debbie Shirt, York Racecourse’s Annual Badgeholder Manager, who came to Racing Welfare for physiotherapy following a complex fracture to her lower leg which she sustained away from work. Debbie explains how the charity’s support extended far beyond funding her physiotherapy, and the positive impact this had on her overall wellbeing: “I haven’t had a day off sick with [my injury] and that is because of the support of Racing Welfare.
“Without Racing Welfare, without their support and guidance, I really don’t know where I’d be. It’s not just physically, with my mental health they’ve helped me. Nothing has ever been too much trouble. It’s comforting to know they’re there.”
Combined tickets for both the ARC Malton Open Day and the YorkMix Family Sunday Raceday are available to purchase at the early bird price of £15 with all under 18’s going free. Entry to the Malton Open Day only costs £7.50. Prices will increase to £17.50 and £10 respectively from 1st September.
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.