Lambourn and Middleham lay on Good Friday treat with popular open days

Good Friday is indeed a good day to be a racing fan, with both Middleham and Lambourn training centres hosting their popular annual open days.

The Middleham open day, sponsored by Arena Racing Company, attracts 3,000 people to the town and will help to raise funds for Racing Welfare's Hill House Appeal, with the completed project set to provide accommodation for young people starting out in their careers within the local racing community.

From 9am to 1pm, 11 stables are scheduled to open their doors, including record-breaking trainer Mark Johnston and Jedd O'Keeffe, who trains Stayers' Hurdle second Sam Spinner.

Events will move to Middleham's Low Moor from 1.30pm, when there will be a retraining of racehorses parade and inter-yard team challenge.

Racing Welfare's northern regional welfare manager Sarah Fanning said: "The open day is a great day out and we hope to see more people than ever coming along to show their support and help us move towards our fundraising target for Hill House.”

Adult day passes are £12.50, with concessions at £8.50. Under-16s go free of charge.

Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard is due to open to visitors for Lambourn's open dayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Lambourn kicks off Easter weekend by opening its doors to the public for the 29th Peter O’Sullevan Lambourn open day.

More than 25 racing yards and horse exhibitions will open, including the stables of champion trainer Nicky Henderson, where Altior and Sprinter Sacre will be on show, Charlie Hills, Clive Cox and Oliver Sherwood.

The central arena opens in the afternoon with a full programme of equine shows and demonstrations, including a showjumping competition involving Sir Anthony McCoy, Jamie Osborne and Mark Bradstock's wife Sarah.

Entry costs £15 per person with children under-12 going free, or £10 for entry to the afternoon events arena.

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