Home to the racing yards of top trainers Newmarket sees world-famous horses like Frankel gracing the gallops every morning (although Frankel has now retired from racing to go to stud at Banstead Manor Stud which adjoins part of the Newmarket gallops). The turf and artificial gallops are unequalled anywhere in the world, comprising of 2,500 acres, 50 miles of turf gallops and 14 miles of artificial tracks. They are used on a daily basis by over 2,500 horses in the care of over 70 trainers.

The development of Newmarket as the centre of racehorse training began over 350 years ago when James I recognised the area as a perfect site to pursue his sporting interests. However, it was not until the reign of Charles II in 1660 when racing began to flourish. Charles II organised the first ever race under written rules which took place on the Heath, called the Newmarket Town Plate, which he won on his own horse! This race has been run every year since.

Julian Richmond-Watson, Chairman of the Event commented, ‘After the success of the Newmarket Open Day and support of all those who attended and worked on the event we are delighted to be hosting it again in 2013.’

Thousands of people then dispersed across Newmarket to visit the many trainers yards. As well as seeing the horses, meeting trainers and stable staff who were very helpful and friendly and willing to answer any questions, there was a whole of host of other activities. Ed Dunlop paraded Snow Fairy for the 800 people who visited his yard, while Luca Cumani sold signed photos and jockey silks to raise money for the beneficiaries which were Racing Welfare, East Anglia Air Ambulance and the New Astley Club. Darley Pre Training provided a fascinating insight into the benefits of training horses in a seawalker and the National Stud exceeded all expectations with a full house on each of their tours.

In the afternoon people braved the rain and headed to the Rowley Mile where racing celebrities including James Fanshawe raced in the Scurry Driving and Frankie Detorri and Amy Weaver joined the teams from the Mounted Games Association. Go kart drivers skidded around the track in front of the Grandstand with trainers competing against jockeys and journalists from the racing media battling it out. Jason Weaver from Attheraces managed to secure first place despite black flags and stewards enquiries!

Julian Richmond Watson, Chairman of the Event commented; ‘‘As Chairman of the Event I would like to thank all those who helped make the Newmarket Open Day such a great success. We have had fantastic feedback from the yards and other sites that opened on the day who were delighted to have the chance to show people behind the scenes of Newmarket HQ.’

Frankie Detorri who attended the day with his family commented; ‘’It was a fantastic day and we all really enjoyed it.’

The event next year will be held on Sunday 22 September 2013.

This private members club is a site few people have ever had the privilege of stepping inside and now is your chance to see the magnificent interiors of the house, the walls of which could whisper a thousand tales of the intriguing racing industry. This two course lunch can be booked at www.newmarketopenday.co.uk and includes the price of a ticket to the Open Day.

The Open Day will raise money for the East Anglia Air Ambulance, the New Astley Club and Racing Welfare and will begin with horses being cantered on Warren Hill between 0900 – 0945. Members of the public will be able to pick and choose their favourite horses to go and see between 0930 and 1230 when the majority of Newmarket trainers yards will open.  There will also be plenty of other visitor attractions open in the morning such as the National Horseracing Museum, Tattersalls, the British Racing School, Newmarket Equine Hospital and The National Stud amongst others.

In the afternoon, from 1300 to 1700, all attention will focus on the Rowley Mile Racecourse for entertainment with dramatic stunts on horseback from the Weatherbys Devil’s Horsemen, JSC Sport Pony Clubs Games featuring the likes of Frankie Dettori, Hayley Turner and William Buick, Osborne Refrigerator Scurry Driving, the Martin Collins Quack Pack, Racing for Change pony rides plus plenty more so bring your kids and come and enjoy this family day out.

For further details or to book tickets go to www.newmarketopenday.co.uk. Ticket cost £15 with children under 12 gaining entry free of charge. Ticket offers include a two day badge to racing at Newmarket on Saturday 22 and the Open Day on Sunday 23 September for £30. Lunch at the Jockey Club Rooms is £50 per person, £30 for children under 12 years.

Competition is growing as drivers are confirmed for the Jockeys v Trainers celebrity Godolphin Go-Karting Challenge which will take place at the Rowley Mile Racecourse on Sunday 23 September as part of the Newmarket Open Day.

After a morning visiting the trainers yards and the equine sites open to members of the public head to the Rowley Mile to catch a glimpse of trainers and jockeys going head to head on the go-kart track. Trainers including Luca Cumani, Roger Varian and Ed Walker will take on the likes of top female jockey, Hayley Turner, William Buick and Ryan Moore. Will the heavier trainers have an advantage as they wizz down the Godolphin Straight or will the nimble jockeys weave through the Mark Of Esteem Chicane with more agility?

The Open Day will raise money for the East Anglia Air Ambulance, the New Astley Club and Racing Welfare and will begin with horses being cantered on Warren Hill between 0900 – 0945. Members of the public will be able to pick and choose their favourite horses to go and see between 0930 and 1230 when the majority of Newmarket trainers yards will open.  There will also be plenty of other visitor attractions open in the morning such as the National Horseracing Museum, Tattersalls, the British Racing School, Newmarket Equine Hospital and The National Stud amongst others.

In the afternoon, from 1300 to 1700, all attention will focus on the Rowley Mile Racecourse for entertainment with dramatic stunts on horseback from the Weatherbys Devil’s Horsemen, JSC Sport Pony Clubs Games featuring the likes of Hayley Turner and William Buick, Osborne Refrigerator Scurry Driving, the Martin Collins Quack Pack and pony rides plus plenty more so bring your kids and come and enjoy this family day out.

For further details or to book tickets go to www.newmarketopenday.co.uk. Ticket cost £15 with children under 12 gaining entry free of charge. Ticket offers include a two day badge to racing at Newmarket on Saturday 22 and the Open Day on Sunday 23 September for £30. Lunch at the Jockey Club Rooms is £50 per person, £30 for children under 12 years.

Last weekend saw some of Newmarket’s equine heroes, who will be on show at the Newmarket Open Day on Sunday 23 September, race to victory across the world in 3 Group 1 races and a Group 2. The David Simcock trained I’m A Dreamer won the Grade 1 Beverley D Stakes in America, ridden by Hayley Turner, giving the female jockey the third top level success of her career.

Jockey Club Catering will sponsor the Sponsors Lounge at the Rowley Mile in the afternoon and JSC Sport will sponsor the Mounted Games which will include 5 teams, each with a famous jockey in the saddle, including William Buick, Hayley Turner and Frankie Dettori.

Frankie Dettori commented: ‘I think it is great news that the Newmarket Open Day has returned and I am sure it will be a fantastic day out for all of the family like the recent Lambourn Open Day which had record crowds. It will also raise crucial funds for three deserving charities in The New Astley Club, Racing Welfare and East Anglian Air Ambulance.’

Sir Henry Cecil, commented: “Unfortunately this year I will not be opening due to Frankel but will be at the Rowley Mile in the afternoon; I totally support the Newmarket Open Day and think it will be a fantastic day out for those that attend and I hope it raises lots of money for three great charities. I will definitely be opening in 2013.”

Ed Dunlop commented: ‘I think the decision to bring back the Newmarket Open Day is an excellent one and we will be thoroughly supporting the day in its entirety. The day will not only raise money for three fantastic charities in The New Astley Club, Racing Welfare and East Anglian Air Ambulance, but will showcase the fantastic Newmarket training facilities as well as providing members of the public with the opportunity of seeing their favourite racehorses at home.’

Dual Group 1 winning jockey, Hayley Turner, commented: “Newmarket has some of the best training facilities in the country and it is only right for members of the public to come and see them as well as raising money for charity. The Newmarket Open Day also provides horse racing fans with the opportunity of coming to see the horses that they follow all season in the flesh at home. I am looking forward to it as will be a great day.”

William Buick commented: “I think it is a very good idea for Newmarket to open its doors to the public on 23 September not only to raise money for three great charities but also to showcase the fantastic training facilities that Newmarket has to offer. I look forward to taking part on the day.”

Members of the public will be able to pick and choose their favourite horses to go and see between 0930 and 1230. As well as the trainers opening their yards there will also be plenty of other visitor attractions such as National Horseracing Museum, Tattersalls, British Racing School, The Jockey Club Rooms, Newmarket Equine Hospital and The National Stud, all being open on the day.

In the afternoon, from 1pm to 4pm, all attention will focus on the Rowley Mile Racecourse for entertainment with an inter stable staff go karting competition, a Trainers v Jockeys go karting competition as well as the Pony club games which will feature the likes of Frankie Dettori, Hayley Turner and William Buick. There will also be tradestands and plenty of entertainment for children.

Julian Richmond-Watson, Chairman of The Betfair Newmarket Open Day, commented: “I am delighted to be involved in bringing back the Newmarket Open Day and am grateful to those trainers that have decided to open their stables for charity. The day will provide a fascinating insight to the behind the scenes world of training racehorses and allow members of the public to see their favourite racehorses in the flesh.”

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute commented: “The three charities all carry out fantastic work within the horse racing industry and I am only too pleased to open my yard to support them and to also showcase Newmarket as the best place to train racehorses in the country.

Betfair executive Martin Cruddace commented: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Betfair Newmarket Open Day for a minimum of three years. We are long-standing sponsors of its Lambourn equivalent and know, first hand, what a valuable and enjoyable day these are in terms of raising public awareness of the sport and money for charity.”

For a map and full list of participating Trainers click here

Tickets can be booked in advance online.
£15 and children under 12 being free admission.

The 2012 Newmarket Open Day will be held on Sunday, September 23, and is being organised by a committee headed by former Jockey Club senior steward, Julian Richmond Watson. It also includes William Gittus, managing director of Jockey Club Estates, Nick Patton, Newmarket’s training grounds foreman, Stephen Wallis, managing director of Newmarket Racecourses, Martin Mitchell, a director of Tattersalls, and town trainer Mark Tompkins.

Mr Wallis said: “It is a long time since Newmarket held an open day and, with the support of the racehorse trainers, we are reinstating one this year in aid of three beneficiaries – the New Astley Club, Racing Welfare and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

“The format of the day will be similar to the very successful open days which are held at Lambourn and Middleham. Trainers will open their yards to the public in the morning and there will be primarily equine-themed entertainment at the racecourse in the afternoon.”

Chairman Councillr Joy Uney said: “It is great to hear that there is going to be another Newmarket open day because they have been so successful in the past and we hope the whole town will get involved.”