Royal horses to canter as Henry Cecil Open Weekend honours the Queen

There will be a royal flavour to the Henry Cecil Open Weekend in Newmarket on Sunday when two of the late Queen's horses will canter up Warren Hill with their riders wearing her famous silks.

The specially arranged addition to the event comes just a day before the Queen's funeral in Westminster Abbey, and will be a poignant tribute to the monarch's strong connection to Newmarket.

The Queen had horses with four trainers in the town – Sir Michael Stoute, Michael Bell, John and Thady Gosden and William Haggas – and the last two are set to supply horses to the gallop morning, which starts at just after 8am.

One-time Derby entry Educator (Haggas) and Royal Ascot runner-up Saga (Gosdens) will carry the Queen's colours up Warren Hill.

Charlie Fellowes, chairman of the Henry Cecil Open Weekend, said: "It's a fantastic idea to pay tribute to Her Majesty by having what were her horses kick off the Warren Hill gallops event on Sunday.

"It should provide a great spectacle whilst also paying tribute to racing's greatest supporter."

After the royal pair, Mishriff, Inspiral and Nashwa from the Gosden yard will make an appearance, as will Sir Mark Prescott's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe contender Alpinista.

Chris Wall, Alice Haynes and Dylan Cunha are also supporting the event before the mighty Baaeed brings the curtain down at around 8.30am.

A host of activities are available to those travelling to Newmarket on Saturday, with the return of racing at the Rowley Mile acting as a focal point for the day. The Turners Cesarewitch Trial (3.51) is the feature of the seven-race card.

Tours of the British Racing School, Rossdales veterinary practice, the National Stud and the Jockey Club Rooms – the latter two requiring advanced booking via the Discover Newmarket website – take place throughout the day, while racehorse retraining displays will be held at the National Horse Racing Museum. Brilliant sprinter Battaash will also be present at the museum.

A number of yards will open from 9am on Sunday including that of Roger Varian, who will be parading last weekend's St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov at 10am. Other yards open in the morning include those of James Fanshawe, George Boughey, David Simcock and Ed Dunlop. In total, there will be 24 stables open to the public spread across the town, along with Godolphin Rehoming.

Once the yards close, there will still be plenty on, with mounted games, sponsored by Qatar Racing, a dog show backed by Blue Diamond Stud and the Clipper Logistics Racing Personality Showjumping taking place on the Severals.

The Henry Cecil Open Weekend is also raising money for Racing Welfare, Newmarket Day Centre, the National Horse Racing Museum and the Newmarket Heath Ambulance. A record £60,000 was raised for the charities last year.

All children under 16 go free across the weekend. More information is available at thehenrycecilopenweekend.co.uk.

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