Popular Middleham Stables Open Day to return on Good Friday

Fears that race meetings, staged on the same day for the first time last year, would ruin the event proved unfounded - with more than 6,000 visitors able to take a peek round some of racing’s biggest yards.

This year, on April 3, more than 500 horses will be on show, while racing from Lingfield will be screened live from a big screen at the Top Cross in Middleham from 1.45pm.

Last year’s event raised more than £18,000 for various local and national charities. This year the two main charities to benefit will be the Jessica Bethell Charitable Foundation, in memory of the daughter of James Bethell, the chairman of Middleham Trainers’ Association, and The Household Cavalry Foundation.

Lesley Sweeting, chair of directors at Middleham Key Centre, who administrate the open day, said: “Jessica’s parents James and Sally have set up the Jessica Bethell Charitable Foundation to fund research into meningitis and we are proud to have chosen the foundation as one of our two main charities for the open day.

“Jessica was a huge supporter of the open day and it is fitting we should remember her and raise funds for such an important cause.

“The stables at Middleham contain some of the finest racehors - es in the north of England and we are looking forward to one of the biggest and the best days in the open day’s history.

“Having coped successfully with racing on Good Friday, there is every cause for celebration.”

Tickets cost £10 per adult, including a souvenir brochure and a chance to win a prize in the programme draw. Admission for accompanied children is free.

The yards are open to the public from 9.30am until either 1pm or 2.30pm. Free parking is available in Middleham or nearby Leyburn, with free bus links between car parks and the outlying stables.

This includes Ann and George Duffield, who are opening their Sun Hill Stables at Constable Burton from noon until 4pm.

For more details, log on to www.middlehamstablesopenday.co.uk or phone 01969 624411.