Lambourn Open Day (Friday 6th April)

[Bruce_Savage]

Betfair Lambourn Open Day
Good Friday - 6th April 2012

The open day is a unique opportunity to see the horses in the training establishments throughout the Lambourn Valley. Last year over 30 trainers opened their yards to the public and over 10,000 people took the opportunity to meet the horses, the trainers and to really see first hand the Lambourn racing industry. Many yards have special exhibits and some demonstrations including horses using hydrotherapy pools. Kingwood Stud opened its doors and thousands of visitors enjoyed learning about horse breeding at one of the countries top establishments.

In the afternoon the massive events field with its central arena opens with a full programme of equine and country related shows and demonstrations of country skills. Trade stands offer all manner of goods and services generally connected to country pursuits. Children's activities are also available and there are many different places where food is available.

Activities

Racing yards open from 8:30am to 1pm

Nicky Henderson’s Yard
Nicky Henderson’s seven Cheltenham winners will be among the horses to be seen at his yard on Betfair Lambourn Open Day on Good Friday morning from 8.30. However, it should be pointed out that the yard will shut promptly at 12.30. In previous years some people have stayed on after the closing time. This year the big Aintree Festival is the following week and he does not wish to jeopardise the chances of those running by upsetting their routine so close to the meeting.

Breakfast vans and a limited number of Racing Posts available in most Car Parks .
Horses swimming at Harry Dunlop’s Windsor House Yard at 9.30, 10.30 and 11.30
Tradestands open at 10 a.m. in Afternoon Events Area.


Afternoon Programme: 1pm to 5pm

** AP McCoy, John Francome, Michael Hills, Eddie Ahern, Noel Fehily, Mick FitzGerald, Luke Harvey **
will be amongst many celebrities taking part in the Afternoon Activities


The Stan James Lambourn Games.
Top jockeys compete in Lambourn’s version of the Olympics
sponsored by Stan James

Stan James Camel Racing
sponsored by Stan James

Eagle Heights Eagle and Vulture Display

Schooling over Fences and Hurdles by top Jockeys
Sponsored by Racing for Change

Yogi Breisner Display
A display by the renowned trainer of horse and rider
Sponsored by BEDMAX

Bedmax Dressage Display
by up and coming event rider Lissa Green,
daughter of world famous Lucinda Green, record 6 times winner of the Badminton Horse Trials.
Sponsored by BEDMAX

Gary Pickford Farrier Display

 

[Bruce_Savage]

Love this open day!

Had my first visit last year and Nicky Henderson's was the first stop as you do - packed solid! but the yard just has to be seen.

You're given permission to touch some of the greatest National Hunt horses in training which is a privilege.

Barry Hills & Marcus Tregoning's are also worth taking a look.

Who is going to be attending?

The lady that looks after Long Run is very attractive.

 

[walsworth]

I've been several times, but won't be able to make it this year as I'm on call for work.
I would certainly recommend it to anyone who has never been.

 

[rorydelargy]

Love this open day! You're given permission to touch some of the greatest National Hunt horses in training which is a privilege.

So who said this?

"Too many cameras, too many people touching the horses, too much pressure getting through into the animals. Take a leaf out of Mark Johnston or Sir Michael Stoute's book. No touching, no cameras, no journalists etc."

 

[Bruce_Savage]

My comments still stand Rory & I feel that there should be no touching, no cameras and no journalists.

Does that mean I would spurn the opportunity take take part in such activities if given the chance? no, that's why I've booked my Virgin train tomorrow to take part in a fantastic event.

 

[Flame]

Our yard will be open from 8.30, with refreshments on hand as well.

Also we have free guides on our horses and so on, and any questions will be greeted friendly and openly.

We're up Folly Road.

 

[Simon]

My comments still stand Rory & I feel that there should be no touching, no cameras and no journalists.

Does that mean I would spurn the opportunity take take part in such activities if given the chance? no, that's why I've booked my Virgin train tomorrow to take part in a fantastic event.

How can you spare the time to get away from that dissertation, Professor?

 

[Ballydoyle]

I would have loved to have gone but as usual forgot it was on until too late!! Plus not sure what dog arrangements would be in place? Haveing a large lab not sure how many yards would allow him in and cant leave him in the car!

 

[Bruce_Savage]

What a fantastic day!

Started off at Nicky Hendersons in the morning before the traffic got lively, most of the boxes were empty as the horses were either out working or just got in front their morning gallop - most of them looked shattered!

Eventually they began to perk up about an 40 minutes later, managed to get in and touch Long Run who was better with the crowd than last year but my best moment was catching the Queens horses having a **** on camera - something to tell the grandkids.

Interestingly, ex Noseda horse Forgotten Voice was in the yard! interesting prospect for next year, one that really caught my eye was My Tent Or Yours.

Charlie Hills was a fantastic again, some really vibrant & excited race horses that wanted to kick all the doors down, chase all the birds out of their box, run up in the air bucking and kick - really exciting.

The filly Cockney Dancer looked really nice & unraced 3 year old Bunraku who was nice. The two year olds that caught my eye were Avanzare & Zipp.

There was only one foal at the Kingwood Stud as the others had gone to Ireland but she still put on a show, running around trying to impress the on lookers and on occasions farting before running :lol:

The best yard for me was the last Clive Cox right at the end of the day where you really got a chance to spend some good quality time with the horses as the yard was winding down and they were really tired at this point.

There wasn't a bad looking horse in Clive's and I really hope he does well this year, I would be surprised if all of them didn't manage to notch a victory or go extremely close at some point this year.

Anyone know why there is one box at Clive's that stands out a million miles from the others, has gold balls up the top of the box because I forgot to ask?

The rest of the day was also superb entertainment!

 

[Cruella]

I would have loved to have gone but as usual forgot it was on until too late!! Plus not sure what dog arrangements would be in place? Haveing a large lab not sure how many yards would allow him in and cant leave him in the car!

I didn't go this year but we went last year and took our large Lab; we went to Kingwood Stud, Marcus Tregoning's and Nicky Henderson's and there were no problems anywhere - obviously we kept him a few feet back from the foals at Kingwood. As long as dogs are kept on a lead they're welcome at the yards.

My husband still teases me about my 'classic quote' while we were at Seven Barrows: "keep an eye on the dog, they're bringing some horse along"..."some horse" being Long Run! (I did realise a moment later!)