Clear your diary this Good Friday and join Racing Welfare at the ARC Middleham Open Day! Tickets are now on sale for the popular family-friendly fundraising event, which takes place on Friday 29th March.

The Arena Racing Company sponsored day, a staple event in the northern racing calendar, attracted more than 3,500 eager racing fans last year. This year looks set to be just as popular, with local trainers including Micky Hammond, Charlie Johnston, Ben Haslam and Neil Mechie committed to opening their doors to the public. Visitors will enjoy behind-the-scenes access to some of North Yorkshire’s most distinguished racing yards throughout the morning, plus a host of fun activities throughout the afternoon on Middleham’s Low Moor.

Importantly, the event will raise vital funds for organisers Racing Welfare, who provide a wide range of advice and support services for people working in or retired from racing, without whom our sport would not be possible.

In 2023, Racing Welfare supported 203 individuals in the Middleham area and 540 individuals throughout the North. The charity has undertaken over 250 visits to yards, racecourses and studs across the region over the course of the year.

Racing Welfare’s Chief Executive, Dawn Goodfellow said:  “We’re looking forward to welcoming racing fans to this year’s ARC Middleham Open Day, a vital fundraising event in Racing Welfare’s calendar and a unique family day out. Not only do guests have the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and see how these fabulous animals are looked after, there’s also a host of family entertainment throughout the afternoon, including the popular dog show and Retraining of Racehorses display. Proceeds from this event directly benefit racing’s people by funding our life-changing wellbeing support services. I hope everyone has an enjoyable day and extend thanks to the many people that continue to support this event year-on-year.”

“The ARC Middleham Open Day is one of our flagship fundraising events of the year. It’s a day that sees our charity and the people we support engage with the wider public on a large scale, and it is always a date in the diary that many of us at Racing Welfare look forward to.

“The public’s support has never been more needed, as demand for Racing Welfare’s services continues to grow year-on-year. Without our fundraising events we simply wouldn’t be able to continue to offer our services to racing’s people on the scale that we do now. I hope to welcome lots of new and returning visitors to Middleham this Easter weekend.”

Sam Cone is Head of Communications and Public Affairs for long-standing event sponsor ARC. Sam said: “Everyone in British Racing is aware of the importance of Racing Welfare’s services to those working across the industry, and we are proud to once again support the Middleham Open Day, alongside a number of other of the charity’s events. Good Friday is an important date in the racing calendar and this is an excellent opportunity for fans to get a look at what goes on, day-to-day, in the region’s racing stables. We hope that everyone visiting Middleham Open Day has an enjoyable and insightful day.”

 

The list of trainers confirmed to be opening so far is as follows:

  • Ben Haslam
  • Danny Brooke
  • Micky Hammond
  • Neil Mechie
  • Charlie Johnston
  • Jedd O’Keeffe
  • Liam Bailey – Foulrice Park Racing
  • Karl Burke
  • Ed Bethell

Yards will be opening from 9:30am-1pm, (please note times for the yards of Karl Burke 10.30 – 12.30 and Ed Bethell 10 – 12 noon) with a host of activities to follow on Middleham’s Low Moor including the ROR show, inter-yard team challenge and the Aiskew Equine and Pet Supplies Dog Show. Follow Racing Welfare on social media for regular updates.

Tickets are now available to purchase at the early bird rate of £10 for adults and £6.50 for concessions if purchased before the 15th Feb. Under 16s go free.

Book now at  www.middlehamopenday.co.uk.