We understand that there is only a limited amount of time to get around the yards during Middleham Open Day so hope that the below information is beneficial in setting you up for a top-class day out.

Arrival

There are three different locations that you can park at upon arrival –

  • Middleham Low Moor – DL8 4RH
  • Middleham Busks – DL8 4PP
  • Tennants of Leyburn – DL8 5SG

Parking at both Middleham Low Moor and Middleham Busks is on grassland and may be uneven however parking at Tennants of Leyburn is hard standing and Tennants will be open to serve food throughout the day. Shuttle buses are scheduled to run between Tennants and Middleham throughout the day. Disabled parking is available at Middleham Key Centre and Middleham Primary School, please contact us on 01969 624123 if you would like to discuss disabled parking facilities. Seasoned regulars recommend parking on Middleham Low Moor where you can wander down into the village of Middleham.

Please note there are no parking facilities at any of the yards.

Wandering into Middleham

If you park on Middleham Low Moor and walk down the hill into the town, the first yard you will meet will be Simon West’s Castle Stables on your left-hand side with Neil Mechie’s Dante Stables on your right. Continue to wander down into the town past the bus stop and Middleham Castle will be on your right. Ben Haslam‘s horses are trained in the shadow of the castle with Chris Fairhurst’s Glasgow House Stables situated on your left. As you continue your route through the village, the main bulk of market stalls will be visible in the centre of the town with Mark Johnston’s Warwick House and Kingsley House yards situated just a short walk down to your left and Micky Hammond’s Oakwood Stables situated a short walk straight ahead.

Buses run on a circular route to the remaining yards outside of Middleham. The shuttle will depart Middleham and arrive at Andy Crooks’ Ashgill Stables and Foulrice Park Racing as well as dropping off at Jedd O’Keeffe and James Horton’s yards where a separate shuttle will run from the drop-off point directly to the entrance of these two yards.

Middleham Market

Once you’ve visited a few yards and met some of racing’s familiar faces (equine and human), don’t forget to visit the Market Square where there is an array of stalls selling anything from delicious brownies to jewellery and garden furniture. Stalls are set up in two locations in the town at ‘The Plantation’ and ‘Bottom Cross’. Visitors from New Beginnings are joining the day along with the National Horseracing College, whose simulator is available for any budding jockeys that are interested in getting to know more about a career in racing.

Stay for the whole day

The fun doesn’t stop at 1 PM. Racehorse trainers Ann Duffield and Phil Makin are opening their training yards from 12.30-4 PM and shuttle buses will be running from Middleham to their yards throughout the afternoon. Grab some lunch from one of the local pubs offering special menus for the day or enjoy the traditional Good Friday lunch from Middlehams’ resident fish and chip shop before heading back up to the gallops.

From 1 PM, Trooper Middleham, of the Household Cavalry, will be spending some time in the arena on the gallops meeting his fans before the Retraining of Racehorses parade kicks off at 1.15 PM. The parade includes two parts and will run for 45 minutes before the ever-popular inter-yard challenge takes place with staff from training yards across the town competing against one another in a series of fun challenges. New for 2022 is the Aiskew Equine and Pet Dog Show. Enter your four-legged friend into the four classes for your chance to win great prizes.

 

Take advantage of discounted tickets if booked online in advance of the day here.