Ribchester the star of the show as Malton opens doors to public

Last Sunday's Prix Du Moulin winner Ribchester will be the undoubted star when Richard Fahey joins Tim Easterby, Brian Ellison, David O'Meara, John Quinn and many others in opening their doors to the public on Sunday morning for Malton's annual Festival Of Racing.

There will be over 100 horses on show at Fahey's Musley Bank stables, but the dual Royal Ascot winner is expected to enjoy being the centre of attention.

Fahey said: "Ribchester will enjoy it. He'll get a lot of fuss, but I'd imagine it will do him good. He gets very fresh when he has too much time off so after Sunday we gave him just a couple of easy days, a couple of days on the treadmill and then a canter this morning. He's been spot on but you have to keep on top of him."

Click here to see the Malton open day map

Also welcoming the public – and in his case for the first time – will be Mick Easterby, and visitors to his Sheriff Hutton stables will have the opportunity to see not just the horses, but also the impressive collection of coins and other ancient artefacts that have been found on New House Farm over the decades.

Military planning will be needed by visitors hoping to take in all of the main stables, however, as most yards are open only from nine until 12 and not all of them are in, or even close to the town. Easterby and O'Meara, for example, are ten to 12 miles from the centre and they are not exactly close to one another. Plus O'Meara is closing his gates at 11.

Top Notch Tonto gets plenty of attention at the yard of Brian Ellison (blue shirt) during a previous open day

The many other attractions at a reinvigorated open day include Jack Berry House, which will be open to the public all morning, trail runs over the old Malton and Norton racecourse, and a jockeys showjumping event at Fahey's which is scheduled to start at 12.30.

The afternoon activities are concentrated around the market place, where Fahey and former champion jockey Paul Hanagan will be among those joining a Q&A session and there will also be a racing-themed dog show.

Fahey said: "The organisers have really pushed the boat out this year and there's a lot going on, as it coincides with a food festival in the market place. It's going to be a big day for everyone, and at Musley Bank besides being able to see all of the horses we've got the showjumping, a farrier display, our vets, a treadmill display and so on."

Online ticket sales have now closed, but tickets can be purchased from all outlying yards, Malton market place and the car parks.

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