Large crowds expected as Lambourn and Middleham host popular annual open days

A bumper crowd is expected for the annual Lambourn Open Day when it returns on Good Friday following last year's cancellation due to the weather.

Run in memory of legendary broadcaster Sir Peter O'Sullevan, the day gives the public a rare opportunity to visit the leading training operations in the village and get close to some equine greats.

Twenty-one racing yards, including the historic Seven Barrows, home of six-time champion trainer Nicky Henderson, will be open between 9am-1pm. As well as the likes of Constitution Hill and Jonbon, there will be a chance to see former star chasers Sprinter Sacre and Altior.

Owen Burrows will also open his yard, which houses Group 1 winner Anmaat, and he said: "It looked as though it was going to be wet, but the weather has played ball and hopefully the rain will stay away this year so people can come and look at the stars on show."

There will also be activities throughout the afternoon, including the Windsor Clive International Parade of Equine Heroes and schooling demonstrations featuring Sir AP McCoy, Nico de Boinville and James Bowen. 

Tickets can be purchased on the day at all car parks and money raised will go towards the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, and other local causes.

The Middleham Open Day also takes place on Good Friday, when nine yards are set to be open to the public in North Yorkshire.

Group 1-winning trainers Karl Burke and Ed Bethell will open their doors to visitors between 10.30am-12.30pm, while the yards of Charlie Johnston, Phillip Makin, Neil Mechie, Patrick Neville, Jedd O’Keeffe and Simon West can be visited between 9.30am-1pm.

Bethell said: "I'm delighted that more than 30 years on from when my father was involved in the Middleham Open Day, we can still welcome the public to view the Bethell Racing yard, so they can see some of our exciting horses for the season ahead."

Afternoon entertainment, including the retraining of racehorses showing classes, will take place on Middleham’s Low Moor and money raised from the event will go towards Racing Welfare’s Middleham projects and service delivery in the town.

Tickets can be purchased on the day at the yards and the racing welfare gazebo in Middleham market square. Visitors are asked to park at the event’s main parking facility at Low Moor as there is no parking in Middleham itself or at any of the yards. 

Read these next:

Classic dreams are still flying high as Lambourn takes Newbury's opening Flat fixture by storm 

'We're ready and we're excited' - Lambourn's Flat fraternity raring to go for Doncaster's season-opener 

Middleham set to fly the open day flag for racing fans on Good Friday 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.