Will you meet a future Group 1 winner, a future superstar with a name that will be etched in history?
Some superstars are already there waiting to meet you!.
ARC Middleham Open Day 2023 gives you a chance to go behind the scenes in Middleham’s horse racing yards, and this year you will find horses there that are entered into races such as the Group 1’s Quipco 1000 and 2000 Guineas 2023,
In February we saw two of Middleham’s star racehorses competing overseas in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Both running in the 1.7 furlong Red Sea Turf Handicap worth an amazing $2.5million.
Subjectivist for Charlie Johnston: Subjectivist had not raced for 605 days, and this was to be a comeback race from injury that could very easily have been career ending. He was last seen easily winning the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup back in 2021 by 5 lengths when trained by Mark Johnston. He has undergone a lengthy rehabilitation programme involving the whole team at Johnston Racing and it is an absolute joy to see their patience, hard work, care, and attention pay off. Subjectivist showed he still had that racing heart but was maybe a touch too enthusiastic early on in the race and was eased in the closing stages of the race after understandably getting weary. Trainer Charlie Johnston has said that the Dubai Gold Cup and Ascot’s Sagaro Stakes are the options currently under consideration for Subjectivists targets. A superstar. Rated 123
Update: On the 25th of March on only his second start since injury Subjectivist bounced back to form with an excellent 3rd place in the Dubai Gold Cup the trainer quoted as saying ‘I put him in the category of our best three ever’ really exciting horse to follow again this year. Subjectivist will not be in attendance on the day but you can find out all about him from the Johnston team.
Al Qareem for Karl Burke: Al Qareem was last season’s winner of the G2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp in Paris on Arc weekend, he had progressed from winning handicaps at Nottingham and York, to showing his talent running well in group company at Royal Ascot (4th Queens Vase G2), Newmarket (2nd Bahrain Trophy G3) and Goodwood, before winning in France. He reportedly was never in a good position during the race at Riyadh so was not exerted unnecessarily in the closing stages. Karl Burke has said he hopes Al Qareem will be a cup horse of the future. Rated 112.
Phantom Flight for James Horton: Phantom Flight is an ultra-consistent horse; out of only 6 runs he has won 3 and been placed twice. Rated 108
Sir Maximus for James Horton: Sir Maximus is a four-year-old who has gone from strength to strength, running over 6 furlongs he ended 2022 with a win at Newmarket in listed company and a second place at the Curragh in Group 3 company. One to watch in 2023. Rated 107
El Caballo for Karl Burke: El Caballo is only 4 and has 6 wins to his name after an incredible run of 6 wins one after another, including a Listed and a Group 2 race, he has only been out of the placing on one occasion in a Group 1 at Royal Ascot, an exciting horse. Rated 112
Cold Case for Karl Burke: Cold Case is only 3 years old but at the end of his 2 year old career had amassed a prize pot of £275.597 after 6 races, starting out his winning career at York in 2022 he ended the season with wins in valuable sales races at Doncaster and Redcar (Listed), this one to watch has never been out of the top three in all his races. Rated 106
Electric Eyes for Karl Burke: Electric Eyes has been noted as a market mover in the betting for the Quipco 1000 Guineas, a winner on debut and then second in the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld, Duabi Rockfel Stakes she is definitely one to meet her and find out why everyone thinks so highly of her.
Dubai Mile for Charlie Johnston: Dubai Mile already a winner of a Group 1 in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud race in France and second in the Group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket, at the age of 2 years old, he is obviously very talented and one to keep an eye on for the start of the 2023 season. Update: Dubai Mile has been entered for the Derby, he will be seen first in either the 2000 Guineas or the Dante Stakes.
Burrow Seven and Beep Beep Burrow for Jedd O’Keeffe: Burrow Seven was born in 2017 and was named Burrow Seven in honour of Rugby League legend, Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2019. After two inspiring seasons, a recurring injury meant that the difficult decision was made to retire Burrows Seven, he is now due to travel to New Beginnings to enjoy his retirement, New Beginnings are also attending Middleham Open Day so go along and find out what happens in life past the post for these fabulous racehorses. Beep Beep Burrow is a 6-year-old gelding, named after Rob Burrow’s nickname at Leeds Rhinos, Beep Beep Burrow is carrying on the legacy built by Burrow Seven, following his unforeseen retirement. This beautiful chestnut horse is really eye catching with his four white socks! He has only raced twice so far in National Hunt flat races. Both horses are associated with The Good Racing Co, an innovative racing club where all profits go directly to specially partnered charities.
Larry Looby for Micky Hammond, Larry Looby is a yard favourite at Micky Hammonds yard having won five races, including an incredible four in a row last year.
Roxyfet for Micky Hammond, Roxyfet is also a yard favourite at Hammonds yard and it is no surprise as he is a sixteen time race winner and nine of those wins came at local track Sedgefield racecourse. Also at Micky Hammond’s yard you will find their racing pony Annie , definitely someone to go and ask about.
Monticello for Neil Mechie, Monticello is described by his trainer as a ‘hardy old rogue, tough as old boots’ he runs both on the flat and over hurdles, ‘He has a cheeky arrogant side but we love him!’
Medicine Wheel for Neil Mechie, Medicine Wheel is a yard favourite ‘a big friendly giant’ He is big in size but a great big softy who loves attention his nickname is ‘Squirrel’ why not go along and say hello to Squirrel and give him that attention he loves.
Trooper Middleham Meet Trooper Middleham and his Corporal of Horse Michael McGrath and learn about the Household Cavalry. Trooper Middleham has taken part in many state ceremonies over the years, including the State Opening of Parliament and our late Queen’s Birthday Parade, as well as military jumping competitions as part of the Blues & Royals Squadron; say hello and give this gentleman of a horse a pat, notice the difference in his build compared to some of the racehorses.