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23rd - 24th September 2023

THE NATIONAL STUD TOURS SOLD OUT

Due to very high demand, spaces on the tours of The National Stud have now SOLD OUT.

Tickets for the Henry Cecil Open Weekend are still available though with many other activities on offer. On Saturday visitors can head to British Racing School, Injured Jockeys Fund Peter O’Sullevan House, National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket Equine Hospital. Or book onto a tour at Jockey Club Rooms by emailing: admin@discovernewmarket.co.uk

On Sunday, 24 yards are open between 9am-12:30pm. The activities on The Severals begin at 1:15pm including Dullingham Park Shetland Pony Grand National, Parade of Retired Racehorse sponsored by Al Shaqab, Daylesford Organic Racing Personality Show Jumping and Fitzdares Fun Dog Show.

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TRAINERS MAP

Plan your day using the map below to see where all the 24 open yards are located across Newmarket.

Utilise the free shuttle buses to visit some of the open yards. All buses start from The Severals car park on Sunday morning.
Please note, many yards are walkable from The Severals.
 
Approximate walking times from The Severals:
 
➡️Roger Varian/Tom Clover: 15 mins
➡️Harry Eustace/John Berry: 10 mins
➡️Ed Dunlop/James Ferguson/Dylan Cunha/Godolphin Rehoming/ Kevin Phillipart de Foy/Patrick Owens: 8 mins
➡️Charlie Fellowes/Richard Spencer/Simon Pearce/Louise Allan: 5 mins
 
To visit yards on Hamilton Road, please use the buses on offer.
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Shuttle Bus Routes Announced

Shuttle buses will be available to take visitors around Newmarket on Sunday 24th September. They operate from The Severals car park. Plan your day using the bus routes and stop off at as many yards as you would like to see!

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24 yards opening for 2023 Henry Cecil Open Weekend

24 yards are confirmed to be open for this year’s Henry Cecil Open Weekend. Yards are open 9am-12:30pm on Sunday 24th September.

Full list of trainers can be found below:

Louise Allan

John Berry

George Boughey

John Butler

Tom Clover

Simon & Ed Crisford

Dylan Cunha

Ed Dunlop

Harry Eustace

Charlie Fellowes

James Ferguson

Ilka Gansera

Godolphin Rehoming

Rae Guest

Jack Jones

Philip McEntee

Simon Pearce

Kevin Philippart de Foy

James Owen

Patrick Owens

George Scott

Richard Spencer

Roger Varian

Stuart Williams

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NEWMARKET OPENS TO THE PUBLIC THIS SEPTEMBER FOR THE HENRY CECIL OPEN WEEKEND

A town steeped in racing history, Newmarket is the headquarters of British horseracing and home to many of the country’s finest trainers, world class facilities and two premier racecourses. For one special weekend in September, Newmarket opens to the public and offers exclusive behind the scenes access. Named in memory of legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil, The Henry Cecil Open Weekend takes place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September. Visitors are invited to explore and enjoy all that the internationally renowned racing town in Suffolk has to offer.

Horse racing fans can go behind the scenes at some of Britain’s top racehorse training establishments where they can meet trainers, staff and their equine heroes. Last year saw Harry Eustace, Tom Clover and Roger Varian open their yards, all of whom featured on the list of 2023 Royal Ascot winning trainers. With over 25 yards expected to open, the public can see first-hand the love, care and attention that goes into looking after racehorses.

Over the course of the weekend, the Henry Cecil Open Weekend provides the opportunity to visit The National Stud, British Racing School, the Injured Jockey’s Fund rehabilitation centre, Peter O’Sullevan House, the National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket Equine Hospital, Jockey Club Rooms, Tattersalls, and the famous Warren Hill gallops.

Sunday afternoon sees a full programme of events for all the family to enjoy including Shetland Pony Grand National, Parade of Retired Racehorses kindly sponsored by Al Shaqab, show jumping competition featuring leading racing personalities and a fun dog show.

Over £55,000 was raised in 2022 for the chosen charity partners, this year the Henry Cecil Open Weekend will continue to support the racing industry and its workforce whilst also supporting the local community.  Money raised will be donated to the long-term charity partner and main beneficiary Racing Welfare, as well as the British Racing School who are celebrating their 40th anniversary, and Newmarket Open Door who provide support, housing and new opportunities for homeless and vulnerable young people in the local community.

The Henry Cecil Open Weekend marks the beginning of The Newmarket Gold Season, a four-week period which showcases Newmarket as a hub for the international horse racing industry, and also forms part of National Racehorse Week – a nationwide annual celebration of the racehorse.

Charlie Fellowes, Chairman of The Henry Cecil Open Weekend, said:

Every year it is fantastic to see the public descend on Newmarket for the Henry Cecil Open Weekend. It is so important for our sport to welcome new people and the Open Weekend is an opportunity to showcase how well our horses are looked after and for us to give an insight into life on a racing yard. The Open Weekend promises to be unique and enjoyable day out and we encourage everyone to come and experience all that Newmarket has to offer, there is something for everyone to enjoy across the weekend.

A huge thank you must go to my fellow trainers, racing staff, volunteers and participants, without whom the event would not be possible. The Henry Cecil Open Weekend continues to be an annual highlight for many. We are very much looking forward to the weekend and aim to raise as much money as possible for our charity partners.”

Tickets cost £15 when purchased in advance, £20 on the day. Children under 16 go for free. For further information and a full schedule please visit www.thehenrycecilopenweekend.co.uk.

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Henry Cecil Open Weekend to go ahead as planned

In line with National Racehorse Week, the Henry Cecil Open Weekend will take place as scheduled this coming weekend, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September. Throughout the weekend we will pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and reflect on her lifelong love of horseracing.

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MEET FORMER CHAMPION SPRINTER BATTAASH AT THE NATIONAL HORSERACING MUSEUM 

Former champion sprinter Battaash will be making a welcome return to the museum! Retired last year at the age of the seven, Battaash, owned by Shadwell Estates and trained by Charlie Hills won 13 of his 25 starts including four Group 1’s over 6 seasons. He displayed a record-breaking win in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in 2019 and his total career winnings amounted to over £1.7million.

Any visitor wearing an Open Weekend wristband will be able to meet him at the National Horseracing Museum approximately on the hour, from 10am – 4pm on Saturday, 17th September, and approximately on the hour from 10am – 12pm on Sunday, 18thSeptember!

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DISCOVER NEWMARKET TOURS SELLING FAST

Discover Newmarket tours during the Henry Cecil Open Weekend are selling very fast!

The 10am tour of The National Stud is now SOLD OUT!

Book now to avoid disappointment, places remain on the 12pm and 2pm tour at The National Stud and the 1pm and 2pm tours of the Jockey Club Rooms.

Pre booking is required, please email admin@discovernewmarket.co.uk or call 01638 501122.

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THE HENRY CECIL OPEN WEEKEND EXCITED TO WELCOME VISITORS TO NEWMARKET THIS SEPTEMBER

Following a record year in 2021, the Henry Cecil Open Weekend is looking forward to welcoming visitors once again to British horseracing’s HQ on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September 2022.

Each September, racing and equine enthusiasts descend on Newmarket for an action-packed weekend of events and a chance to delve behind the scenes at Britain’s best-known racing yards. Last year saw George Boughey and Harry Eustace open, both now Royal Ascot winning trainers, as well as Charlie Fellowes, James Ferguson, Roger Varian and Simon & Ed Crisford, to name just a few.

The highest number of yards opened to the public in 2021, with record crowds raising £60,000 for the event’s chosen charity partners. The 2022 Henry Cecil Open Weekend will continue to support the racing industry and its workforce whilst also supporting the local community.

Money raised this year will be donated to the long-term charity partner and main beneficiary Racing Welfare, as well as the National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket Day Centre and the Newmarket Heath Ambulance, a fundraising initiative to purchase a quick response unit for work riders on Newmarket Heath.

The Henry Cecil Open Weekend marks the beginning of The Newmarket Gold Season, a four-week period which showcases Newmarket as a hub for the international horse racing industry, and the finale of National Racehorse Week (10th-18th September) – a nationwide annual celebration of the racehorse and the care they receive from racing staff.

Charlie Fellowes, Chairman of The Henry Cecil Open Weekend, said:

 “Last year we saw huge numbers of visitors to Newmarket during the Henry Cecil Open Weekend. It was fantastic to see and for everyone to experience all that our town has to offer.”

“A huge thank you must go to all those who continually support the event and enable the Open Weekend to happen. A particular thanks to all the trainers, racing staff, volunteers and participants, without whom the event would not be possible.”

“The Henry Cecil Open Weekend provides a unique insight and behind the scenes access into racing life in Newmarket and is a highlight for many horseracing fans.  We are very much looking forward to the weekend and raising as much money as possible for our charity partners.”

George Boughey, Newmarket based Classic winning trainer, said: “We had a lot of people visit last year and we are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year. It is great that we can welcome people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to see the yards.’

“It is a chance to see all the horses behind-the-scenes and see all the hard work that goes in from all the staff.  The show jumping is always a highlight, it brings a good crowd with some great riders showing off their talents.”

James Ferguson, Newmarket based trainer, added: “We need to try and gather as many people into this sport as we possibly can, and the Henry Cecil Open Weekend is a wonderful opportunity to do that. Everyone involved does a tremendous job at promoting our sport and the fact it is for charity is a bonus, but I just love seeing the look on people’s faces when they come to the yard.’

“Aside from the yards opening there’s some lovely events that go on, from the gymkhanas to the dog show, to the inter-yard events. You always see the competitive streak in the stable lads and lasses, especially the trainers.”

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NATIONAL STUD TOURS FULLY BOOKED

SOLD OUT – Both tours to take place over the Open Weekend at The National Stud are now fully booked.

We would like to thank everyone for their interest and support. We have lots of other tours and excitements on offer over the weekend.

If you missed out, please note that The National Stud hosts tours throughout the year courtesy of Discover Newmarket. Please visit their website www.discovernewmarket.co.uk for more information.

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