Doors open at Lambourn

10:40pm Thursday 20th March 2008

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The Betfair Lambourn Charity Open Day which is racing's best attended non-racecourse event takes place on Good Friday, March 21.

Over 30 racing yards in the Valley of the Racehorse open their yards, providing the public with a magical insight into their world renowned facilities, talented and dedicated staff and stars of the show, the racehorses themselves.

The thousands who attend each year not only have access to the training yards but also the Kingwood Stud and Rehabilitation Centre as well as having a rare opportunity to witness horses swimming in the hydrotherapy pool at Windsor House Stables, home to trainer Harry Dunlop.

Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard is a popular venue as are the yards of Barry Hills, Carl Llewellyn's Weathercock House, French trainer Jean-Renee Auvray, Clive Cox, Sylvester Kirk and many others.

In the afternoon an exciting array of events includes top jockeys schooling horses over fences, a parade of equine stars, tug of war, bungee jumping, children's entertainment and much more.

The Mounted Games Competition is set to be the highlight of the afternoon when top jump jockeys take part in a series of fast mounted games races that require a high degree of athletic ability, good riding skills, hand to eye coordination and determination to see things through to the end no matter what. Jockeys will be competing against each other and members of the Mounted Games Association of Great Britain.

The charity open day, attended by some 8,000 people in 2007, has raised over £500,000 for the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust, the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and other local charities, since it began in 1990 in the current format of having the racing yards open in the morning followed by the staging of spectacular events in the afternoon.

The Betfair Lambourn Charity Open Day starts from 8.30am with access to the racing yards and the Kingwood Stud and afternoon entertainment commences at 1pm.

Admission prices are £12 for racing yards and afternoon entertainment, £6 for afternoon entertainment only, children under 12 free and there's ample free parking available.