Perfect Power and Sigurd do their bit as racehorses spread joy across Yorkshire

A Group 1 winner and a 108-rated chaser accompanied by a Shetland pony played their part as National Racehorse week got off to a hugely popular start in Yorkshire.

They will be among countless others doing missionary work during a celebration of the racehorse, offering a chance to see the love, care and attention that goes into looking after them.

The Malton open day has been spreading the gospel for years now and the Arena Racing Company-backed event had a heaving congregation as it resumed after a loss to Covid in 2020.

This is a huge fundraiser for Racing Welfare, and Nicola Strong, head of communications and marketing, said: "We've sold more tickets in advance than we normally have people on the day. There is obviously a huge appetite for in-person events."

As the car park filled rapidly, she added: "National Racehorse week is a really great initiative, allowing people to see not just the horses but also the stable staff who work so hard to look after them."

Plenty of those leaving their cars on Highfield Gallops jumped on a shuttle to Musley Bank, where Richard Fahey said: "This event is wonderful, people who come are quite knowledgeable and it gives them an insight.

Richard Fahey greets visitors to his yard at the Malton open dayCredit: David Carr

"They love talking to the lads and lasses who look after the horses. They don't want to talk to us!"

Those swerving a chat with Fahey and long-serving assistant Robin O'Ryan missed snippets of insight on Prix Morny winner Perfect Power, for whom all roads lead to Newmarket in more ways than one.

The Middle Park Stakes hope is seen as a potential 2,000 Guineas contender by a trainer who reasoned: "On the dam's side he could definitely get further than six furlongs and we're still working his sire Ardad out. And he's very laid-back. He could be a Guineas horse."

But Fahey is right, it is the horses and staff who make the day for the visitors, whether they are racing fans or not.

Johnny Halstein and Lucy King are aficionados – they come from Suffolk and their trip to the Lake District just happened to include racedays at Catterick, Carlisle and the St Leger.

Al Shoughor gets friendly with Johnny Halstein and Lucy King at the Malton Open DayCredit: David Carr

Halstein said: "We've not been to anything like this before and we thought we'd come before our long drive home and it's fantastic, we're loving it. It's great to see how well treated the horses are."

Ian Strutte from Market Weighton is less clued up and admitted to coming because his other half, Sue, is a racing fan yet was equally impressed, and said: "It's terrific to see the horses at close quarters, I always thought they'd be quite flighty animals, but they're so calm and placid and love the attention.

Ian and Susan Strutte enjoyed visiting Richard Fahey's yard at the Malton open dayCredit: David Carr

"And it's a cut-throat industry and the trainers all have their own techniques so I thought it would be secretive, but they just let you come and look round. It's fantastic."

On a day when 55 yards in Britain opened their doors, including seven in Epsom, anyone still doubting the joy a horse can bring to those with scant knowledge of racing ought to have dashed 60-odd miles across to Ilkley.

That was where Catterick and Wetherby regular Sigurd, plus diminutive companion Teddy, brought smiles aplenty on a hands-on visit to the Abbeydale care home.

"It struck me that we expect everyone to come to the yard but many are not able to come," explained trainer Jo Foster, who has two similar visits planned later this week. "Bringing the horses does so much good."

Sigurd poses for a photo with owner Liz Verity (far left), trainer Jo Foster (second left), shetland pony companion Teddy plus stable staff and residents and staff of Abbeydale care homeCredit: David Carr

That much was obvious from the smiles on the faces of the residents, who may not all have the physical or mental capacities they once enjoyed but clearly relished the chance to marvel at, stroke or even feed carrots to their star guests.

"This is fantastic," said care co-ordinator Emma Myers. "There has been nothing for the ladies this summer, they need something new and they are absolutely loving it.

"They are engaging, talking, learning something new – animal therapy is fantastic."

A care home resident feeds Sigurd a carrotCredit: David Carr

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