Middleham Stables Open Event 2008, Good Friday 21 March 2008 Home Page

Open Day Logo
Thousands of pounds raised for local charities

RACEHORSE trainers who opened their stables to the public have helped to raise nearly £11,000 for charity.

The Middleham Stables Open Event, which took place on Good Friday, attracted 4,500 visitors.

William Hague, Shadow Foreign Secretary and MP for Richmond, presented cheques to various charities at the Middleham Key Centre, in the Yorkshire Dales.

Mr Hague said: "Middleham is a tremendous success story, and fully deserves its reputation as the finest racing centre in the north of England.

"We have some very successful trainers, and it is wonderful that they open their yards to so many people, especially as the proceeds go to such deserving charities."

The event was sponsored by The Northern Echo and beneficiaries include Racing Welfare, Middleham Sports Association, Middleham Over-60s Luncheon Club, and Children Today.

Horses at MKM Racing Stables
SUCCESS STORY': Horses at MKM Racing Stables enjoy attention from visitors.

Picture and news articles provided by kind permission of the event's sponsor the Northern Echo

The Middleham Stables Open Event, which is sponsored by the Northern Echo, presents a unique opportunity to visit some of England’s top racing stables. It was officially opened by the Rt Hon William Hague MP and Kathryn Apanowicz.

GOOD CAUSES: William Hague was at the Key Centre, in Middleham, to present the cheques to various charities

William Hague, MP for Richmondshire, handed over cheques to the local charities and organisations at the Middleham Key Centre.

Rt Hon William Haig MP

Horse racing has been at the heart of Middleham since the 18^th century when race meetings were held on the High Moor and today the town accommodates seventeen of England’s flat and national hunt trainers with over 500 horses in training.

George Moore horses on moor

Conference & Community Centre
www.middlehamkeycentre.co.uk

Bethell

All proceeds in aid of Middleham Key Centre and other charities

Registered Charity No 1071636

Souvenir Programme still available:
£1.00 + £1.50 postage and packing

Sand an SAE and cheque made payable to "Middleham Stables
Open Day" to
Middleham Key Centre, Park Lane, Middleham,
North Yorkshire DL8 4RA

Nakheel a;nd Atlantic Waves - Mark Johnston

Ocean of Dreams clocking up his Treble - James Bethell

Bel Cantor - Bill Ratcliffe

Organiser Tim Burner said: "The £10,550 raised represents a great achievement on the part of so many people, including the trainers, staff at the Key Centre, and last, but not least, the thousands of visitors who ensured the day was a success."
James Bethell, chairman of the Middleham Trainers Association, said: "I am delighted to report that next year's event is definitely on.

"It provides an opportunity to meet the horses and talk to the trainers, jockeys and stable hands, and it underlines the importance of Middleham as a racing centre and raises a great amount for charity."

The stables will be open on Good Friday, April 10 next year.

Over 500 horses were on show at leading national hunt and flat racing stables.

James Bethell, Karl Burke, Chris Fairhurst, Micky Hammond, Patrick Haslam, Mark Johnston, Kate Milligan, George Moore, Paul Murphy, Jedd O'Keefe, Chris Thornton, Kate Walton, John Weymes, Ann and George Duffield (Constable Burton) Bill Ratcliffe (Wensley)

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