FROM SEPTEMBER 9-17 130 mostly free events will take place throughout the UK to show what life as a racehorse is really like. 

Five venues across Scotland will open their doors to the public including two in the Scottish Borders and tickets can be booked at nationalracehorseweek.uk.

Training centres together with studs and retraining centres, will invite visitors to join them at a multitude of events running throughout the week, which are dedicated to showing the inner workings of some of horseracing’s most important settings and demonstrate the love and attention that goes into caring for racehorses.

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Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the stars of the sport up close, together with the teams who care for them day-to-day, both during their career in racing and after they have retired.

These special open days will showcase a range of activities from yard to yard, offering the chance to meet racehorses in training, as well as the much-loved stable stars who have retired.

The trainers will host tours of their facilities, providing the chance to see horses exercise on the gallops, and on the treadmills and walkers.

Some yards even have purposely designed equine swimming pools; an activity that most horses enjoy and, just like humans, which offers a low-impact workout.

Physiotherapists, chiropractors, and farriers (who put the horse’s shoes on) are an intrinsic part of any trainer’s yard, and many open days will offer demonstrations and insight into these all-important aspects of horse welfare.

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TV personality Chris Hughes, who is a racehorse owner and ambassador for National Racehorse Week said: “The impact of getting up close to a horse cannot be underestimated. And racing has created a unique opportunity through National Racehorse Week to help people meet these incredible animals, experience the life of a thoroughbred and talk to the dedicated teams who care for them 365 days a year. There is nothing quite like this in any other sport. It is fantastic that the events are free to attend with everyone welcome to join.”

Great British Racing, who run National Racehorse Week aim to engage with at least 2,000 people through community engagement in addition to the free open days available.

Community events will also include trainers hosting school visits, youth groups, charities, and urban equestrian centres. Many trainers and owners of former racehorses will also take horses into schools and care homes, offering those who would not ordinarily have the chance to see a racehorse up close the opportunity to be part of the weeklong initiative.

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The Borders venues taking part are Harriet Graham and Gary Rutherford, Stripend, Oxnam, Jedburgh, TD8 6NE and Jackie Stephen, Firth Farm, Lilliesleaf, Melrose, Roxburghshire, TD6 9JW

The event at Oxnam which takes place on Sunday September 10 between 10am and 12pm is full but visitors can join a waiting list.

Spaces remain at Firth Farm for the event which takes place between 10.30am and 12pm on Saturday September 16.