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 7 April.

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 Karl Burke, Charlie Johnston and James Horton 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 2022, Racing Welfare supported 226 individuals in the Middleham area and 575 individuals throughout the North. The charity provided a total of 3,037 instances of support across the region over the course of the year.

Racing Welfare’s Chief Executive, Dawn Goodfellow said: “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: “At ARC we recognise the importance of Racing Welfare’s services to those working in the horseracing and breeding industry, and our ongoing sponsorship of the Middleham Open Day reflects this. The event is an important date in the calendar and an excellent opportunity for racing fans to gain an insight into what goes on day-to-day at the region’s racing stables. We hope that anyone local with an interest in racing supports the event and wish all visitors and participants an enjoyable day.”

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

  • Charlie Johnston
  • James Horton
  • Jedd O’Keeffe
  • Karl Burke
  • Micky Hammond
  • Neil Mechie

Yards will be opening from 9:30am-1pm (Karl Burke opening from 10am), with a host of activities to follow on Middleham’s Low Moor including the 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 28th February. Under 16s go free.

Book now at  www.middlehamopenday.co.uk.