Northumberland, North East and Scottish Borders - Visit Local Yards For National Racehorse Week

Features | 30th August 2022

National Racehorse Week is back to give members of the public another chance to see what goes on behind the scenes in British racing stables.

National Racehorse Week will give members of the public another chance to see what goes into training racehorses. 

Now in its second year, the hugely-popular initiative will take place from 10 – 18 September. Stables across the country will open their stables to visitors and people in Northumberland, Newcastle, the Scottish Borders and surrounding areas are well catered for. 

Whether you’re a racing regular or interested newbie, everyone is welcome to see the care and attention that goes into giving the horses a wonderful life. The inaugural year was a roaring success. Thousands of visitors headed to stables up and down the country to see what goes on behind the scenes at racing yards, studs and aftercare centres. 

This time more than 140 events are taking place and you can be a part of it. All you need to do is log on to www.nationalracehorseweek.uk, search for events taking place near you and register to join in the fun. 

Here’s a look at some of the stables opening their gates in Northumberland, Newcastle and the Scottish Borders.

Rose Dobbin (Alnwick, Northumberland) 

Rose and her Grand National-winning ex-jockey husband Tony will be opening the doors to their Hazelrigg stables on Wednesday 14 September. Situated between Alnwick and Berwick-on-Tweed, just a few miles from the beautiful Northumberland coast near Bamburgh, there will be plenty to see at the impressive training yard. There will be the chance to see how Rose and her team use their swimming pool to increase the fitness of their horses. The farrier and equine dentist will also hold demonstrations and there will be a visit to the gallops as well as the chance to meet the horses in their stables. Entry is free and all you need to do to secure your place is register on the National Racehorse Website.

BOOK HERE

Sandy Thomson (Kelso, Berwickshire) 

Visitors to Sandy Thomson’s successful racing stables have the opportunity to combine the open day with a trip to nearby Kelso Racecourse’s evening meeting. The trainer will throw open the doors to his yard at Lambden, Greenlaw on Wednesday 14 September – the same day the Scottish Borders track holds its Bicentenary card to celebrate 200 years of racing at Kelso. Sandy and his team will give visitors a guided tour of the racing stables, when there will be a chance to meet the horses. The trainer will also hold a question and answer session before encouraging visitors to make the seven-mile journey to Kelso Racecourse. Entry to the racing stables is free and all you need to do to secure your place is register on the National Racehorse Website.

BOOK HERE

 

Susan Corbett (Otterburn, Newcastle upon Tyne) 

Girsonfield Stud and Racing is a family-run yard situated on the edge of the Northumberland National Park. Just 30 miles to the north west of Newcastle upon Tyne, Susan and her team are looking forward to welcoming visitors to their yard on Sunday 11 September. There will be a tour of the yard with the opportunity to meet the horses, a visit to the gallops and a chance to see the horses schooling. There will also be demonstrations from the farrier, equine chiropractor and equine physiotherapist as well as the chance to meet the next generation of racehorses as foals at the stud. Entry is free and all you need to do to secure your place is register on the National Racehorse Website.

BOOK HERE

Jackie Stephen (Lilliesleaf, Scottish Borders) 

Jackie and her team will showcase their hands-on approach when they welcome visitors to the yard in the Scottish Borders on Saturday 10 September. They will explain how they aim to get the best out of all their horses by learning to understand the individual horse’s temperament and gaining their confidence. There will be a tour of the stables, visits to the gallops and a chance to meet some of the retired racehorses who live at Firth Farm. Jackie moved to the yard, just a few miles of Hawick, only last summer. Entry is free and all you need to do to secure your place is register on the National Racehorse Website.

BOOK HERE