Visitors to the Lambourn Open Day yesterday had to brave the chill and a heavy snow shower before proceedings got underway in sunny conditions.

Once again racing fans turned up in their thousands, defying the elements, to visit some of the 30 racing yards open to the public.

Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard was a firm favourite with the visitors together with Carl Llewellyn's at the historic Weathercock House, former home of the legendary Jennie Pitman.

With the new flat season just getting underway, there was plenty of interest shown in Barry Hills yard at Faringdon Place, where racing pundits were keen to see some of the ammunition lined up by the top trainer for the Craven Meeting at Newmarket coming up shortly.

Visitors to Jamie Osborne's yard saw some of the trainers string on the gallops while at Harry Dunlop's Windsor House Stables horses were swimming in the hydrotherapy pool.

Kingswood Stud and Rehabilitation was also open to the public and also proved popular.

In the afternoon an exciting array of events took place with top jockeys Tony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh, Timmy Murphy, Eddie Ahern, Dominic Elsworth, Alan Daly and Channel 4's John Francome taking part in displays over hurdles and taking part in the Mounted Games Competition.

Trainer John Hills' Upper Lambourn stables won the Corney Barrow Challenge Cup for the best turned out yard.

Organiser Mark Smiley said: "We are all delighted it was another successful day. There was a remarkably good attendance considering the weather. All of the events took place in the afternoon except the Bungee Jumping, which had to be cancelled because of the wind.

"Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and all the yards were very popular this morning and no doubt a few names were added to notebook for the new flat season.

"The silent auction proved to be very popular, among the lots was dinner for two with Tony McCoy at the Pheasant public house, dinner with Carl Llewellyn at the Malt Shovel, a morning on the gallops with Noel Chance and a champagne breakfast hosted by trainer Jamie Osborne."

But the real winners on the day was the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance Trust who collected the proceeds from the day.