Epsom prepares to welcome visitors for bank holiday open day

Travel sections in this weekend's newspapers will be full of handy hints about what to do for the upcoming bank holiday, and racing fans looking for a diary date have Epsom's annual open day on the horizon.

Trainers in the historic racing centre will open their yards to the public on bank holiday Monday, August 27, after which there is a family-themed raceday.

Organised by Racing Welfare and the Jockey Club, the annual open day is helped by a hop on/off bus service around the routes to each yard.

Jim Boyle horses walking back in after exercising on the Epsom DownsCredit: Mark Cranham

Trainers opening up include Jim Boyle, Michael Attwater, Pat Phelan, Roger Ingram, Simon Dow, Mark Pattinson, Adam West and Laura Mongan.

The action starts at 8.30am when horses will be out on the gallops, followed by yards opening to the public from 9.30am. Proceeds from the morning’s events go to Racing Welfare, with funds raised going to support the charity’s Epsom-based activities.

The afternoon's focus is the racecourse, where a variety of superhero-themed activities will be on offer to complement an eight-race card.

Katy Ferguson, Racing Welfare’s regional welfare officer for Epsom, said: “Epsom is a very close-knit racing community and the open day gives the chance for trainers to welcome the public along to meet the horses and people at the heart of horseracing in the area.

"There is nothing quite like the sight and sound of thoroughbreds working up the gallops, and this experience, combined with the opportunity to visit some historic and special yards, is something we are very happy to be to bringing to people.”

Tickets are on sale at epsomopenday.co.uk, with adult tickets for the trainers' open morning priced at £7.50. A combined ticket to the open morning and racing costs £20. Under 18s go free all day.

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