Crowds of racing fans flocked to Middleham in North Yorkshire on Good Friday (April 7) to get a unique look behind the equine curtain at one of the region's racing epicentres.

The busy racing centre of Middleham has been home to racehorses in training for more than 200 years. The town’s racing industry continues to thrive with 400-plus winners having been trained there each year.

The Northern Echo: A horse and a training yard staff member pose for a picture. A horse and a training yard staff member pose for a picture. (Image: Stuart Bolton)

With 15 training yards located in and around the town, visitors to Middleham had plenty to do, meeting a host of racehorse stars and the staff that look after them.

The Northern Echo: Plenty of people brought their backed lunches to enjoy in picturesque MiddlehamPlenty of people brought their backed lunches to enjoy in picturesque Middleham (Image: Stuart Bolton)

The event proved as popular as ever, with visitor numbers exceeding 3,000 - with the revenue from ticket sales going towards local chairites and racing causes.

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The Northern Echo: Plenty of horses said hello to visitors as they passed by the stables. Plenty of horses said hello to visitors as they passed by the stables. (Image: Stuart Bolton)

Two of the big names on show at Middleham were Burrow Seven and Beep Beep Burrow. Both have been trained by  Jedd O’Keeffe and named in honour of Rugby League legend Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2019. 

The Northern Echo: A horse demonstrating the hydrotherapy pool. A horse demonstrating the hydrotherapy pool. (Image: Stuart Bolton)

Trainers who opened their yards this year were: Charlie Johnston; James Horton; Jedd O’Keeffe; Karl Burke; Micky Hammond; and Neil Mechie.

The Northern Echo: A horse greets a young visitor. A horse greets a young visitor. (Image: Stuart Bolton)

Money raised from the event will benefit Racing Welfare, racing’s human welfare charity, as well as several other local causes.

The Northern Echo: The open day attracted thousands of equine enthusiasts. The open day attracted thousands of equine enthusiasts. (Image: Stuart Bolton)

The Northern Echo: Middleham Open Day has been attracting horse racing lovers for years. Middleham Open Day has been attracting horse racing lovers for years. (Image: Stuart Bolton)

The Northern Echo: Crowds were treated to demonstrations, and got to peek behind the curtain of horse racing. Crowds were treated to demonstrations, and got to peek behind the curtain of horse racing. (Image: Stuart Bolton)

The Northern Echo: Visitors could meet some of the biggest names and upcoming talents in horse racing. Visitors could meet some of the biggest names and upcoming talents in horse racing. (Image: Stuart Bolton)

The Northern Echo: A fun day out was had by all. A fun day out was had by all. (Image: Stuart Bolton)