THIS year’s Middleham Open Day has been cancelled as part of the fall-out from the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The popular event, which sees stables in Middleham and its surrounding area open their doors to the public alongside a range of family-friendly activities, was due to take place on Good Friday, April 10.

However, with the Government having issued an effective ban on mass gatherings and with all horseracing having been suspended until the end of April, event organisers have made an early decision to cancel this year’s Open Day.

The event, which has traditionally been supported by the likes of Mark Johnston, Phil Kirby, James Bethell and Jedd O’Keefe, raises money for horseracing charity, Racing Welfare, which was involved in the decision to call off this year’s planned activities.

Last year’s Open Day attracted more than 3,000 visitors, with proceeds going to Racing Welfare’s Hill House Appeal, which was raising funds for the accommodation of young racing staff.

Dawn Goodfellow, Racing Welfare’s chief executive, said: “Following the updated guidelines issued by the Government (on Monday) regarding the coronavirus outbreak, and in order to ensure that we are doing all that we can to restrict the spread of the virus, we have sadly had to make the decision to postpone the ARC Middleham Open Day.

“This course of action has been taken in full consultation with the Middleham Trainers Association and I would like to thank everyone for their support of the event up until this point.”

It is not yet known whether this year’s Open Day will be rescheduled for another date later in the year.

Racing Welfare will be making direct contact with everyone who had bought tickets in advance for the event, with refunds being offered for the cost of the tickets.

Anyone with any queries regarding the cancellation of the event has been instructed to send an Email to info@racingwelfare.co.uk.