THE HENRY CECIL OPEN WEEKEND CELEBRATES LANDMARK YEAR AS FUNDRAISING TOPS £100,000

Now in its eleventh year as The Henry Cecil Open Weekend, Newmarket – Flat racing’s headquarters – once again opened its doors to the public for an unforgettable celebration of the sport. Held on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September, the event offered racing fans and families alike a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at some of Britain’s most prestigious racing yards.

A total of 27 trainers welcomed visitors this year, including leading trainers William Haggas, Roger Varian, and George Boughey. In a new and important development for 2025, the event also introduced two autism-friendly yards, run in collaboration with Autism In Racing – those of Ross Burdon and David Simcock – ensuring the weekend was accessible to even more members of the community. Many yards went above and beyond to try and secure the prize in the WorldPool Best Turned Out Competition and the high standards were a credit to all involved.

The weekend began on Saturday morning with access to some of Newmarket’s most iconic equine sites, including The National Stud, The British Racing School, The Injured Jockey’s Fund rehabilitation centre – Peter O’Sullevan House, the National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket Equine Hospital, Tattersalls, and the prestigious Jockey Club Rooms.

For those who purchased joint tickets with Newmarket Racecourse, Saturday afternoon offered an extra thrill: the inaugural Henry Cecil Open Weekend Newmarket Trainers Charity Race, featuring 12 local trainers taking to the saddle and going head-to-head on the famous Rowley Mile.

The action resumed early on Sunday morning, with spectators gathering on the heath to watch stable stars like Ombudsman and Field Of Gold canter up Warren Hill, kindly sponsored by Tattersalls. This historic gallop has played a central role in the preparation of thoroughbreds for over 400 years.

Sunday afternoon delivered a packed schedule of fun-filled activities for all the family to enjoy. Highlights included the Amo Racing Personality Showjumping competition, the Baker McVeigh Shetland Pony Grand National, the Parade of Retired Racehorses, generously sponsored by Al Shaqab, and the ever-popular Fun Dog Show – all set against Newmarket’s unique backdrop.

A standout feature of the weekend was the silent auction, which included a selection of exclusive prizes and experiences. The auction raised an impressive £12,926 adding significantly to this year’s fundraising total.

In a landmark achievement for the event, £107,454 was raised for charity – a 20% increase on last year’s total of £89,196. Proceeds will be donated to Newmarket Housing Trust and long-term charity partner Racing Welfare, continuing the event’s strong commitment to supporting both the local community and the wider racing industry.

Charlie Fellowes, Chairman of The Henry Cecil Open Weekend, commented: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the success of this year’s Open Weekend. To raise over £107,000 is an incredible achievement and a real testament to the generosity of the racing community and the public.

“It was fantastic to see so many people – from racing fans to local families – enjoying what makes Newmarket such a special place. I’m especially proud of the introduction of our autism-friendly yards, which marked an important step towards making the event more inclusive. Huge thanks to all the trainers, sponsors, and supporters who helped make the weekend such a memorable one.”