Racing Fans Flock to Malton Open Day for Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Over 1,000 racing fans attended ‘behind the scenes’ tours during the annual Malton Open Day on Sunday, September 10th 2023. The day saw 11 racehorse trainers open their yards to help raise funds for charity, Racing Welfare.

Those trainers participating in the annual event included Richard Fahey, John Quinn and Tim Easterb. The star of the day was undoubtedly Julie Camacho’s dual Group 1-winner, Shaquille, who, despite performing unexpectedly below par at Haydock the day before, attracted a constant stream of visitors throughout the morning. 

Speaking on the day, Julie said:

We’ve been very busy. It’s humbling to see how many people want to come and look around. It’s nice that people can come and see [the horses] in their own environment and see what they’re doing. [Shaquille] has done us proud… we all enjoy [Malton Open Day], it’s a good day.” 

At the races

Sixteen horses from across the Malton Open Day stables were declared to run at York Racecourse, where visitors to the yards were invited to attend during the afternoon.

As well as cheering on the Malton-trained runners, visitors to the races enjoyed a day packed full of family entertainment, including pony racing, appearances from popular children’s character, Bluey, face painting and bouncy castles, plus the opportunity to meet York Racecourse’s Equine Ambassador, former dual Group 1-winning racehorse, Goldream (now known as Remy).

Adam Ferguson, Racing Welfare’s Head of Community Engagement, said:

We are thrilled with how the Malton Open Day has gone this year, and were so pleased to see so many people enjoying getting up close to our equine superstars. 

Huge thanks must go to all the trainers and their staff for being so accommodating, as well as to York Racecourse for offering discounted entry to their family fixture during the afternoon.  It was wonderful to see a couple of winners from Malton, and we hope that the added layer to the event this year helped create that full-circle experience, following horses from the stable to the racetrack.

Thank you to ARC for their ongoing sponsorship of this event, which has raised an incredible £11,000 for Racing Welfare this year. These funds are vital for our charity and will go towards our wellbeing support services for all of racing’s people.”

About Racing Welfare

Racing Welfare is the only charity that supports all of racing’s people – including stud, stable and racecourse staff, alongside those working in associated professions – from their recruitment right through into retirement. 

The charity provides a wide range of advice and guidance services, all of which are completely confidential and non-judgmental.  Support is available for a wide range of life’s challenges, including physical health, mental health, bereavement, careers advice, housing, money advice, illness, addiction, relationships, and retirement. Racing Welfare’s services are nationally accessible with offices in all the main racing centres and roving Welfare Officers covering the whole of the country.  

The charity owns 164 units of accommodation across the UK, with a focus on providing housing for young people working in racing and those who have retired from the industry which is managed by its housing arm, Racing Homes. 

Support is available to racing’s people 24/7 through Racing’s Support Line or the Racing Welfare app. Both provide access to information, advice and guidance services, as well as access to the 24-hour telephone line.