Virtual Yorkshire Open Day to showcase Racing’s Historic County

For the very first time, Racing Welfare will host a Virtual Yorkshire Open Day on Sunday 13th September.  The showcase of racing in Yorkshire is being held in place of Middleham’s and Malton’s Open Days, which were cancelled this year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to the continued support of Arena Racing Company (ARC), the Virtual Yorkshire Open Day will feature racehorse trainers from across the county providing video tours and other insights into their training operations. Visitors will meet a selection of equine superstars along the way and hear about horses to follow.  The event will also allow participation from home through an online dog show, with winners decided by public vote, so too an art competition, which will be judged by Racing Welfare ambassador and artist Darren ‘Birdie’ Bird.

Tim Fitzgerald, Vice Chairman of the Malton Open Day Committee, said: “The COVID-19 outbreak has given Malton Open Day the opportunity to develop into a virtual showcase of racing in Yorkshire. We are delighted to be able to share the array of amazing facilities available across the whole of the county and very much look forward to giving the public a behind-the-scenes experience.”

The charity will also be running a Virtual Epsom Open Day on Bank Holiday Monday 31st August.  The day will feature the home of the Derby through video tours, interviews with trainers and racing staff based in the town.

Donations made during these events will be used to provide a full range of support services to all of racing’s people and will aid in developing local projects in both areas.  These include the redevelopment of Hill House in Middleham, which once completed will incorporate 12 units of accommodation for people aged 16-24 years old and a community resource centre.

Racing Welfare is running a national online auction to assist in fundraising efforts during the events, which will go live on 27th August until 24th September.  The fantastic lots on offer include a private tour of the National Stud in Newmarket complete with an overnight stay at the historic Jockey Club Rooms, and a 2021 share in a racehorse with the Hot to Trot syndicate.

Dawn Goodfellow, Chief Executive of Racing Welfare, said: “We are thrilled that, despite being unable to hold our Open Days in their usual format this year, we are still able to showcase these fantastic racing centres.  It is a wonderful opportunity to promote the racing hubs of Yorkshire and Epsom to a much wider audience and I hope everyone will follow the events on the day and enjoy the insight on offer.”

The events are free to view and registration is now open for both. 

All those who register in advance will receive a free online programme featuring exclusive content. 

For all the details and to register for the Virtual Yorkshire Open Day please view https://racingwelfare.co.uk/yorkshireopenday/  

For the Virtual Epsom Open Day please go to https://racingwelfare.co.uk/epsomopenday/