There have been racehorses trained in this area for over 200 years but the Cistercian monks of nearby Jervaulx Abbey were breeding horses long before this. The first documented reference to racehorses in Middleham was the establishment of Isaac Cape as a jockey in 1733 and he eventually became the first specialist racehorse trainer here. Racing was established on the High Moor as early as 1739 and meetings were held regularly during the 18th century.  The last race to be held on the Moor was in June 1873 after disputes between trainers and local gait owners (landowners with grazing rights on the moorland). From then onwards the High Moor has been used only for training. By then though racing was an important part of Middleham's life and so began the history of famous trainers settling here and sending out winners at all of the leading meetings in the country. One of those trainers was Captain Neville Crump who turned out three Grand National winners from his famous yard Warwick House Stables (Now part of Mark Johnston's training establishment) - Sheila's Cottage (1948), Teal (1952) and Merryman II (1960). He also trained five Scottish and two Welsh National winners! Captain Crump died in 1997 aged 86 and is buried in Middleham cemetery.
Another outstanding trainer was Sam Hall with winners of the Ayr Gold Cup, Ebor Handicap (three times) The Yorkshire Cup, the November Handicap (five times) the Cesarewitch, the Lincoln Handicap, the Magnet Cup and the Royal Hunt Cup, to name a few - His niece Sally Hall now occupies Brecongill Stables.

At this moment in time there are some fifteen training establishments. With good modern facilities it continues to prosper as a leading training centre. There was a time in the late 70s and 80s when Middleham suffered a downturn in fortunes and there were some empty yards during that period. However the training facilities were improved and Middleham now boasts its own grass and all-weather gallops on the Low and High Moors.
 

THE MIDDLEHAM YARDS & TRAINERS 
         
Click on their address to visit their own Websites:

Glasgow House Stables - Chris and Judy Fairhurst train at this famous old yard ~ which
 in 1822 sent out the first four in the St Ledger!

Warwick Lodge Stables - the home of George Moore - National Hunt and Flat trainer with 
over 600 winners to date - another who played a leading role in Middleham's racing revival.

Manor House Stables - where Patrick Haslam trains - with runners all year round on the flat, jumping and especially renowned for his successes on the All-Weather.

Wynbury Stables - Ferdy Murphy's well known National Hunt yard at West Witton - with a string of successes including Cheltenham..

Ashgill Stables - for 42 years the yard of Ernie Weymes and now his son John Weymes has taken over the reins already with many successes. The yard has been re-furbished and restored and can boast excellent facilities as well as being handy for the Equine Pool and Gallops.

Kingsley House  - probably the best know yard here today, home of trainer Mark Johnston. With around 160 horses in training and winners of some of the most prestigious Flat races in the world. Their logo says 'Always Trying' and they are doing just that - putting Middleham firmly on the racing map since arriving here in 1988! He is the first trainer ever to have 100 winners in ten consecutive Flat seasons!

Castle Stables -The home of Kate Milligan - small yard with successes in National Hunt racing.

Sharp Hill Farm - Kate Walton's - another small but very successful yard.

Oakwood Stables -  The yard of Micky Hammond.

Sharp Hill Farm  The yard of Chris Thornton - with modern American Barn style stabling
 for 27 horses with excellent facilities and private access to Middleham Moor gallops

High Beck, Brecongill, Coverham. The yard of young trainer Jed O'Keeffe former assistant
 to Micky Hammond.

Ashgill Yard 2 -  Andy Crook's yard.

Spigot Lodge - the home of trainer Karl Burke.

Thorngill, Coverham, Middleham - The yard of James Bethell

Brecongill, Coverham, Middleham - One of the oldest training yards in Middleham dating from the 18th century and where Sally Hall has trained since 1969

STABLE VISITS
For those interested in racing, the training of racehorses or possibly interested
in how to become an owner you can visit some of our local racing yards accompanied
by our knowledgeable guide
These stable tours are only available mornings and have to be pre-booked.
Available now from £10 per person
For more details or to Book please telephone 07775568374
E-mail address: middlehamracingbreaks@hotmail.co.uk
(Please note minimum age 16yrs ~ Also unsuitable for disabled persons)

 2 Night Racing Breaks ~ details -  www.middlehamracingbreaks.co.uk
 

Caring for Racing's People

RACING WELFARE
Helping Racing People overcome life's hurdles

Registered Charity 
No. 1084042

  `Racing Welfare` is an amalgamation of the Stable Lad`s Welfare Trust, The Jockey Club Charitable Trust and Racing Welfare Charities whose aim is to provide support for anyone currently, or previously employed in the thoroughbred horseracing and breeding industries and their dependants. They have Welfare Officers throughout the country. Support comes in the form of help with a wide variety of problems, such as injury, illness, homelessness, claiming benefits, form filling and re-training for those who can no longer work in the racing industry ~ this is the other side of racing ~ For the lads and lasses riding out day in and day out in all weathers takes its toll and premature arthritis and rheumatism are just some of the occupational hazards they have to deal with ~ it is all too easy to take their essential work for granted but, unfortunately, if they become ill or injured few of them have anything to fall back on !  Many aspire to become jockeys but few will make it.  The care, patience and time that stable staff invest in a horse's life can be invaluable and pay enormous dividends but their own life in breeding, training and caring for racehorses is neither glamorous nor highly paid and their contribution goes largely unseen and unsung !

Raye Wilkinson
March 2008 saw the retirement of Raye Wilkinson a well known and very well liked, long serving, fully qualified Social Worker who had been involved with the Stable Lads Welfare Trust for over 23 years - which earned him the respect and trust of all those who came to him for his help and advice....

We all wish him a long and happy retirement
~ his shoes will be hard to step into!

To receive information on how to make a much appreciated donation please contact:

North & Scotland Welfare Office, The Town Hall, Middleham, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4NR Telephone/Fax 01969 624123