Some of the horses in training at this year’s opening yards and other highlights not to miss at this year’s open day:
SPYCATCHER – Spycatcher is a 7-year-old bay gelding in training with Karl Burke at Spigot Lodge, he is a top class very consistent runner. He has 7 wins to his name and 20 places to date, his wins amongst others include 2 group 3s in Deauville, and a Listed race at Lingfield, his placed efforts include second in the Acomb at York Racecourse, 3rd in the group 3 Pavillion stakes at Ascot, second at Newbury in Listed company, second behind Highfield Princess at York in the Duke of York group 2, he was also second in the Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest group 1 at Deauville, 3rd at Doncaster group 3, 3rd at Ascot in the Quipco British Champions Sprint Stakes group 1, 3rd in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. A top-class horse who won this year on the opening day of the flat season at Doncaster winning the Listed Cammige Trophy Stakes, Spycatcher is one to watch for the rest of the season.
MARSHMAN – Marshman is a 5-year-old bay gelding again residing at Spigot Lodge with Trainer Karl Burke. He has won 5 times and been placed 5 times out of only 17 races. He started off his career by winning 2 races on the bounce and finishing second in the Gimcrack at York Racecourse Group 2, he started his next season in style with a win in the Group 3 Prix Sigy in Chantilly, he returned later in the year and was third in the Prix du Gros-Chene group 2. This year, so far, he has won two races and been placed twice from only four starts, making him another top-class, consistent horse to follow in 2025.
HOLLOWAY BOY – Holloway Boy is a flashy-looking 5-year-old Chesnut gelding trained by Karl Burke, He started his career off in style by winning the Chesham at Royal Ascot on his first start. Last year he claimed a group 3 at Haydock and this year he has been campaigned in Meydan where he has been placed in the top three in all his group races to date, a horse that looks to be a real jet setter who likes to travel and one to look out for in all the big races overseas this season.
THE REAL WHACKER – The Real Whacker in training with Patrick Neville is a 9-year-old bay gelding, he has won 5 races and nearly £300,000 in prize money, he has won the Charlie Hall Chase, and is a winner 3 times at Cheltenham including the grade 1 Broadway Novices Chase at the Festival in 2023, a tough performer who most recently ran 4th in the Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase grade 1 at Aintree. Patrick Neville is opening his gates for the first time a great opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes look at his training operation.
REGIONAL – Regional is a 7-year-old bay gelding in training with Edward Bethell. He has 5 wins and 5 second places to his record, winning over £583,000. All this has been achieved from a horse purchased for just £3,500. Affectionately known as Reggie at home, he ran a fantastic race in Meydan on the 5th of April, where he finished 3rd in the Al Quoz Sprint (Group 1) (Turf), only beaten 3/4 of a length and added another £120,000 to his prize-winning pot now sitting at £703,211 making that £3,500 purchase price even more of a bargain buy.
PABORUS – Paborus is again in training with Edward Bethell, he is a 4 year old bay gelding, having only run 6 times he has an incredible strike rate of 4 wins to his name, including his last 2 races latterly first time out this season at Thirsk Racecourse. one to keep and eye on.
NEIL MECHIE – Wander over the training yard of Neil Mechie where you will find more than just horses, spring has sprung and so have the lambs, go along and say hello.
GLASGOW HOUSE STABLES – Former training yard of Chris Fairhurst is steeped in history and although there are no longer any horses being trained there you are welcome to go along to see the yard that was built in the early 1800’s, there will also be a display of local racing memorabilia for everyone to see. Read more about the historic stables at greyhoundderby
MICKY HAMMOND RACING – Always a great place to visit with plenty of happy horses to stroke, plus there are usually cakes on offer a win win!
CHARLIE JOHNSTON RACING – Head over to Charlie Johnston’s big training operation to see the horses swimming in the exercise pool at this top winning yard.
VIXEY – Vixey a 5 year old bay mare in training with Simon West has had 6 runs since January winning and being placed in the first 4 every time a consistent horse to follow.
CAPTAIN VALLO – Captain Vallo is in training with Phillip Makin, he is a 7 year old chesnut gelding who has won 5 times, he has also been placed 14 times a regular runner with a consistent pattern of success he has winnings of £37,865 to date.
FRINGILL DIKE – Fringill Dike is a 8 year old chesnut gelding in training with Jedd O’ Keeffe, he has won 9 races in total and been in the top 3 places 5 times, he is a bit of a course specialist at Hexham racecourse having won 5 times at the track
ASHGILL EQUESTRIAN – Ashgill equestrian are kindly bringing along some ponies to the Low Moor for everyone to meet, they love attention and cuddles so make sure to stop by and say hello.