Denton Hall News

Open day proves a huge success in support of National Racehorse Week

THE latest open day at Michael Dods’ racing stables proved to be another huge success this morning.

Around 150 people registered for the event to mark National Racehorse Week, with some coming from far and wide.

Visitors were given a glimpse of life at a top racing yard, including seeing horses go up the magnificent gallops at Denton Hall, near Darlington.

The open day included a stalls test, a farrier demonstration, and horses enjoying five-star treatment in an equine spa and on the treadmill.

Michael staged a question and answer session, with racing fans able to ask him about the stars in the yard, such as Commanche Falls, who won the feature race, the listed Garrowby Stakes, at York, yesterday. Michael also explained what goes into training racehorses, and buying yearlings to replace those coming to the end of their careers.

The visitors included North-East television presenter Pam Royle, who said: “It was a fascinating insight into what’s involved in looking after and training these beautiful creatures. Michael and his staff are so friendly and made it such an enjoyable and informative morning.

“It was also wonderful to get up close to the horses and I was struck by how friendly and approachable they were too!”

Jo and Tony Evans were visiting the yard as part of a holiday from their home in South Wales. The couple were part of the syndicate that owned fairytale horse, Dream Alliance, who was raised on an allotment as a foal and went on to win the 2009 Welsh Grand National.

The youngest open day visitor was three-year-old Holly Kellett, from Newton Aycliffe, who showed her future jockeyship skills by having a go on a horse simulator, dressed in jockeys' silks and her own pink wellies.

Michael said: “We always like to do our best to support National Racehorse Week, and to give people a better understanding of the care and attention racehorses receive every day of their lives. It was great to see so many people turn out and, hopefully, they enjoyed the morning.”