Open days at trainers' yards in the heart of Yorkshire racing country return and are more popular than ever

Julie and Steve’s stables at Star Cottage on Welham Road, Norton will be open to the public on Sunday 10 September as will many others all around Yorkshire and in particular around Malton the Malton Open Day has already become something of an institution. You can check out full details of what’s happening in and around Malton in Emma Ryan’s equine page on pXX.

Steve says he and Julie are wholly supportive of the efforts of those who also now organise National Racehorse Week.

“The beauty of it is that it allows the public to come and see the horses at home rather than at a racecourse and that gives the opportunity of a little insight to what goes on to prepare the horses for when they see them at the races. The race itself is the end product, but a lot of work goes into getting the horse fit and healthy to race.

‘We put people into groups and give them a little guided tour if they want one, but some are just happy to have a wander around. We usually put information on each door about what each horse has achieved and what stage they are at in their career.

“The micro shares that are now available in horses are very affordable. For little money you can get a direct interest in the horse, follow his or her progress and it gives the further opportunity of going racing when they run. It’s bringing people more into racing.

Steve is no doubt hopeful that visitors at tomorrow’s open day will see what could by then be a three-time Grade 1 winner if Shaquille comes back victorious.

Steve tells of running a yard being all about team effort.

“In racing everything is about the team behind you. The more horses you get the more you rely upon other people’s horse ability and commitment. We have 65 flat racing horses here. I assist Julie, she’s the trainer. I’m her assistant and we have a great team. That’s what I hope people will see and maybe enjoy being a part of in future.

In a survey The Economic & Social Impact of Racing in Yorkshire commissioned by Go Racing in Yorkshire, published in October 2020, it was reported that the industry in the county was worth over £300m and had over 2500 horses in training, which represented 17 per cent of the UK’s racehorses.

Richard Fahey started out in Malton in 1984 as a conditional jockey to Jimmy Fitzgerald and has had over 30 Grade 1 race winners from his Musley Park stables where he presently has 140 horses in training and a team of 65 giving 100 per cent every day. Richard is in no doubt of the county’s horseracing prowess and its knowledge of the sport.

“Yorkshire is the envy of the racing industry. Its’ nine racecourses always attract big crowds. We are very privileged here. I started as an apprentice jockey. I was one of the first two from the Irish Racing School to come here, along with Jimmy Quinn who is still riding now. We set a trend from then on. I came over the day before my 18th birthday. I’m now 57. I had a spell down south but soon came crying back to Yorkshire.

“National Racehorse Week and the Malton Open Day gives everyone the chance to come and see behind the scenes, celebrate the horse and everyone that works with them. It’s a fantastic and very healthy industry. Those who ride out the horses certainly don’t have to go to the gym when they ride out three lots a day.

“It’s nice to show people what we do and how the horses react to being in training. I’m always surprised how much enjoyment people get out of going around the yards and the amount of people that come.

“When it’s your work and your industry day-in, day-out you probably don’t appreciate how special others see it, and some of the questions asked are quite intelligent. You feel a sense of achievement when answering them.

“The people who come are very keen to find out how much they are fed and what are the routines. Ours get fed at five in the morning, they have a light breakfast, then a light lunch and a big dinner at the end of the day. People then compare it to themselves and the amount of exercise they get. I’m sure these horses would be a lot fitter than we are if they were humans.

Richard has always been happy on the east side of North Yorkshire and is proud of Malton’s racing prowess.

“Malton is Number 1 in Yorkshire now and has been for a long period of time. There’s an awful lot of winners being trained in Malton. I’ve trained over 3500 winners from here. It’s a huge industry for the area and a very successful place.

Adrian Keatley of Wold House Stables is one of Yorkshire’s newest trainers having trained or worked for other trainers all over the world. Adrian, who is having his best year since filly Jet Setting won the Irish 1000 Guneas in 2016, started out as a farmer’s son in Co Kildare with none of his family having any background in racehorses.

“I’m from Kilcullen very close to the Curragh. There was a family down the road involved in eventing and hunter trials. That’s how I got started and then I started working for National Hunt trainer Francis Flood.

“In National Racehorse Week we open our doors to the public who come and get very close up with the horses that we work with every day and get to experience what we experience and see how we do things, see how well the horses are looked after. How they are exercised.

“We’ve mainly horses that run on the flat but also have dual purpose and a variety of horses. We have 23 at the moment.

“Yorkshire is a home from home for me. There are plenty of Irish here and it’s a nice relaxed part of the world.

“You have to be resilient, have a good work ethic and a good team. One of the easiest things you can do on a daily basis is work hard.