Middleham Open Day a success

A sharp overnight frost did not deter racing fans who braved the cold but sunny Yorkshire weather to turn out in their droves for the 2004 Middleham Open Day.

The training centre opened its doors to allow racing enthusiasts to look behind the scenes at leading stables including those of Mark Johnston, Patrick Haslam and James Bethell.

Johnston’s leading UltimateBet.com 1000 Guineas candidate Attraction stole the show ahead of her bid for Classic glory while established stars Ryalux and Kinnaird – winners of last year’s Scottish Grand National and May Hill Stakes respectively – were also strutting their stuff.

In addition, hounds from the West of Yore Hunt were on display with a country fair, trade stands and market stalls doing a rip-roaring trade through the afternoon.

Unofficial figures suggested that 7,500 people had descended on Middleham through the day, representing an increase on last year, with organisers hopeful that the £20,000 (€30,400) raised for charity last year could be matched.

Foreign visitors included some people from Australia, who happened to be in the area, although people from as far afield as Liverpool had the made the journey especially.

“Today has been a great success,” said organiser Marcia Kennedy. “People have travelled from all over to be here and we are extremely pleased with the turn out. It is another triumph for the north’s leading training centre.”