The Henry Cecil Open Weekend: five things not to miss

Saturday is your opportunity to see behind the scenes at Racing's Headquarters. Below are some of the places you may like to visit with your Open Weekend ticket.

The British Racing School is open (tours at 10.00 and 11.30)

Godolphin Rehoming/Lifetime Care is open (ridden demonstrations at 10.00 and 11.00)

The Injured Jockeys Fund - Peter O'Sullevan House is open

Newmarket Equine Hospital is open (tours at regular intervals, with the last at 11.30)

National Horseracing Museum is open (entry for £5 - meet retired racehorses and try your hadn't on the racehorse simulator)

The National Stud has tours available (10.00, 10.45 and 11.30: pre-booking is essential by emailing [email protected]). Living legends The Tin Man and Lord Windermere are in residence, as well as stallions Lope Y Fernandez, Rajasinghe, Bradsell and Champion Stayer Stradivarius

Tattersalls has a talk talking place at 11.30 - hear from bloodstock agent Tim Goff. (Free parking is available on site for the day)

The Jockey Club Rooms has tours taking place (entry for £5 and pre-booking is essential by emailing [email protected])

Saturday afternoon sees the first meeting of the Autumn racing season on the Rowley Mile, with the first race due off at 1.35.

Not only is there a seven-race card to look forward to, including the Cesarewitch Trial, but there will be an additional contest at 5.35 - the trainers' charity race.

Twelve trainers have been confirmed for the one-mile event and, in 2024, the event raised £89,196 for its charity partners, The Newmarket Housing Trust and Racing Welfare. The same charities will be supported in 2025.

The Newmarket Housing Trust, a project led by the Newmarket Trainers Group, will develop a portfolio of accommodation, such that it can meet the housing needs of racing staff in Newmarket aged 16-18 years old, 18 – early 20s, couples and older people without children, and families.

Before visiting any yards in the town, make sure you are on Warren Hill for 8.00 sharp on Sunday to see some of the world's best horses on the gallops.

Both 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes winner Field Of Gold, and Prince of Wales's Stakes and Juddmonte International hero Ombudsman have been confirmed, with the full line-up set to be released very soon.

Not only will you see some of the best horses in the town fly past you, but there will be interviews with some of the town's top trainers.

Between 9.00 and 12.30 on Sunday, a record thirty trainers are opening up their yards to the public, many of whom are opening for the very first time, including Somerville Lodge - home to William Haggas.

If the yard you are thinking of visiting is a little out of the way, then don't worry. There are free shuttle buses running from The Severals car park on Bury Road, although many yards are also within walking distance.

This is your chance to see the inner workings of some of the top stables in the country, and a chance to get up close with multiple Group One winners and some of your favourite horses.

George Boughey will be opening his state of the art Craven House Stables, whilst Roger Varian and Harry Eustace, both of whom saddled winners at Royal Ascot this year, will also be open.

Another star attraction is dual-purpose trainer James Owen, who has enjoyed a record-breaking year under both codes. This is your chance to meet Champion Hurdle runner-up Burdett Road and Chester Cup winner East India Dock.

And why not pay a visit to up-and-coming trainer Michael Keady? Billy Loughnane will be in attendance signing autographs (9.30-10.00), whilst there is also a farrier demonstration (9.30-10.30), a retraining of racehorses demonstration (10.30-11.00), a racehorse riding demonstration (11.00-11.30) and a breaking in a yearling demonstration (11.30-12.00).

Once the trainers have closed their doors at 12.30, make your way back to The Severals for a busy afternoon of action.

With plenty of food and drink options available, sit back and enjoy Celebrity Showjumping, The Shetland Pony Grand National, as well as a fun dog show.

To secure your tickets for £15, click HERE. Under 16s go free!

There is also asilent auction taking place. Amongst the 33 lots on offer are a tour of Willie Mullins's Closutton Stables for four, lunch at The Jockey Club Rooms with Sir Mark Prescott and Charlie Fellowes, a visit to see Frankel and a signed saddlecloth worn by 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court.