A POPULAR open stables will go ahead again this year after a local charity stepped in to help organise it.

Held in September, the annual open day at Malton provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of some of the country’s leading race yards. The event restarted in 2012, after running regularly 10 years ago, and raised funds thousands of pounds for charity, however, last year it was cancelled after no-one was found to help coordinate it.

Racing Welfare, the charity which supports those involved in the horse racing industry and has a regional office in Malton, has now stepped in to organise the day for this year.

Renamed Malton Festival of Racing will take place on Sunday, September 17.

Sarah Fanning, Racing Welfare’s Regional Welfare Manager, said:”The Malton Festival of Racing will follow much of the same format as previous years with the stables in and around the town open during the morning followed by an afternoon of activities in the town centre including a question and answer session with well known jockeys and trainers and competition” she added. “There will also be food and racing themed stalls.”

Sarah said the this year’s event also had the support of the Malton Fitzwilliam Estate.

“The open stables day in Malton is a key event for the industry,” she added.”It helps to highlight the success of racing in the north of England.”