National Racehorse Week provides perfect chance to see the Seven Barrows stars and more in Lambourn

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Opportunities to tour the historic Seven Barrows yard are few and far between throughout the year, but next week is one of those rare occasions when the legendary Nicky Henderson opens his doors to members of the public.

The Valley of the Racehorse plays a significant role in the industry and Henderson, who takes part in various events during the year including the annual Sir Peter O’Sullevan Lambourn open day on Good Friday, will welcome over 200 people to his yard next Thursday as part of National Racehorse Week.

Henderson has been based at Seven Barrows, which is three miles north from the heart of the village, since making the short move from Windsor House - the home of Roger Teal - in the summer of 1992. He switched places with Epsom Derby-winning trainer Peter Walwyn, who at the time moved to Windsor House, and quickly continued to develop his position in the sport.

Success followed Henderson to Seven Barrows and 61 of his 75 Cheltenham Festival winners, which includes two Gold Cups, have been secured in the historic base he operates at on a daily basis. Big-race victories in the King George VI, Clarence House Chase and Aintree Hurdle have also been achieved.

The six-time champion trainer is one of many trainers up and down the country taking part in the annual National Racehorse Week, which begins on Saturday and runs for nine days until the end of August, and he is excited to show people how the wheels turn at Seven Barrows.

Henderson said: “Obviously we hold various open days and other events throughout the year, but this is a very good one. It’s been a very good concept; it appeals to everyone and it’s a nice idea to get more and more people through the gates to see what goes on.

“We get a lot of people here on Good Friday. It won’t be quite like that in terms of size, but we’ll have a couple of hundred coming along.”

Sir Gino: back in training for the jumps seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Henderson has in recent weeks welcomed superstars such as Constitution Hill, Jonbon and Sir Gino back into the yard following their summer breaks and is excited for people to see the care and attention his horses get on a daily basis.

He said: “It’s great that people can get up close to these horses. They’re not all quite back in yet from the summer break, but most of them are and there’s plenty to see and there’ll be lots going on. Hopefully it’ll be a good day.

“We’re ticking along. The ones in aren’t doing a whole heap just yet, they’re only trotting and hacking at the moment.”

Fellow Lambourn trainer Edward Smyth-Osbourne’s Frenchman's House yard, which is located just under five miles from Henderson and next door to Tom Dascombe’s operation, is also set to welcome new faces to his yard on August 30, while the nearby Harry Derham, Neil King, Hughie Morrison and Alan King are also taking part in National Racehorse Week.

Smyth-Osbourne, who is enjoying a strong season in his second year in training, is set to welcome a sold-out crowd of 50 to his stable and is excited to see new faces.

He said: “We took part in National Racehorse Week last year and it was good fun. We had around 25 people and this year we’ve managed to double it and sell out, which is amazing. I capped it at 50 but I wasn’t expecting to get anywhere near that. It’s nice we have more exposure a year on.

“Some people who came were in various syndicates in the yard while others were just local to the area who wanted to see what it was all about. It’s all about spreading the word of racing to let people know what we all do behind the scenes.”

• More information on National Racehorse Week

Tom Dunlop closes in on charity ride finale

In just over a weeks’ time, Tom Dunlop will be cycling through the gates at Newbury Racecourse to complete his mammoth charity bike ride.

Dunlop, the son of former Group 1-winning trainer Harry, set off on a 2,600-mile ride on July 27 to cycle to every racecourse in Britain for two charities close to his heart - the Injured Jockeys Fund and Diverse Abilities. He will conclude his incredible challenge at his local track on August 28.

Speaking shortly after arriving at Bangor on Wednesday evening, Dunlop said: “The legs aren’t as sore as people might think. I’ve done Chester, Aintree and Bangor today, and tomorrow we’re at Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton. 

“We’ve had some hard days. We had a pretty bad day with wind in Leicester, while the heatwave was also a struggle. I also had a pretty 20 per cent incline at Kirkstone Pass in Cumbria on my way to Cartmel.”

Tom Dunlop closing on the end of his cycling extravaganza around Britain

Dunlop is set to arrive at Newbury at around 4pm, which is just under 50 minutes before the first race on next week’s Flat card, and will be given the use of the facilities in The Filly’s bar next door to the owners’ and trainers area.

Newbury is also providing £10 charity tickets for anyone who wishes to support Dunlop’s fundraising. The full amount will go to the two charities and members of the public who buy these tickets will have full access to the premier enclosure. 

Looking ahead to the final day, Dunlop added: “We’re set to be joined by a few people in Marlborough and Hungerford as we make our way along the A4 into Newbury. It’ll be good fun meeting all these people and I’m really excited to finish it.”

To support Tom is his final push, visit this link.

Read these next:

Blisters, banter and big hearts: how racing put its best foot forward on an incredible charity mission 

Warren Greatrex to lead team of racing figures in charity hike after praising incredible support received following yard tragedies 

'I’ve seen how getting close to these incredible animals impacts people' - National Racehorse Week kicks off on Saturday 

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