VISITORS were allowed a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes of Malton’s successful racing industry at the weekend.

The Betfair Malton Stables Open Day saw more than 20 trainers open their doors to the public, along with demonstrations and displays, following the popularity of last year’s event which was reintroduced after a ten-year break.

There was a range of events and activities in Malton town centre, including a display of local racing memorabilia and horseracing photography, a children’s section at The Milton Rooms as well as stalls and refreshments in the Market Place.

Karen Brown, a member of the association and one of the event organisers, said thousands of people attended the event: “It has been a great success. We have had a few more people than last year and everyone has had a great time. We have had people come from Weybridge in Surrey just to see Classic Punch in Tim Etherington’s yard.”

Following the open morning, an all-star line up took centre stage at 2pm in the Milton Rooms for a question and answer session.

Those involved included seven-times champion jockey John Francome, leading pundits Jim McGrath and Mike Cattermole, Jack Berry, vice-president of the Injured Jockeys Fund, and trainer David Elsworth.

Funds raised will be donated to four charities: Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Malton Hospital, Jack Berry House and Racing Welfare.

Malton Racing Association chairman Tim Fitzgerald said the area had been associated with the training of thoroughbreds for more than 300 years and was the third largest training centre in the UK, after Newmarket and Lambourn.