13 April 2007 PR051

“SPORT OF KINGS”
Racing stable visit on Friday 20 April 2007

Wensleydale Railway’s special excursion on Friday (20 April 2007) combines scenic travel with the opportunity to meet a well-known racehorse trainer at her stables and visit Middleham Castle, childhood home of Richard III.

The highlight of this special day out is a tour of Sharp Hill Farm stables, Middleham, by personal invitation of trainer Kate Walton. At Kate’s suggestion, the group will be also be taken up to see the Gallops on Middleham Moor before returning to Middleham at lunchtime. The afternoon programme includes a visit to Middleham Castle and a journey from Leyburn to Redmire on the Wensleydale Railway.

Kate Walton Racing is a team operation, offering dual training for both National Hunt horses and Flat racing.  Kate, the daughter of trainer Sam Hall, has been in racing all her life and took out a licence herself six years ago.  The farm and its turnout paddocks are situated on the edge of Middleham, near the Gallops; it is regarded as an ideal place to sweeten up and revitalise horses.

“The National Hunt horses have been running very creditably this season,” says Kate. “The older handicappers have been flying the flag, recording success both over hurdles and fences, while the younger inmates are coming to hand showing plenty of promise.”

Middleham Castle – now an interesting and impressive ruin – has had several Royal connections over the years.  It was the home of Richard Neville, known as Warwick the Kingmaker, who instructed the future king Richard III in the skills of warfare. He also held both Edward IV and Henry VI prisoner there during the Wars of the Roses.

The town itself has developed a thriving racing industry since Isaac Cape, the first recorded racehorse trainer, set up in business in about 1765. Overnight visitors to the town can enjoy the early morning spectacle of highly-bred racehorses being ridden out for exercise each day.

The Wensleydale Railway had a strong connection with the racing industry in the first part of the twentieth century, as racehorses travelled to events by train.  Now the stables have private horse boxes and the horses travel by road but previously the railway company provided horse boxes for journeys between the stables and Leyburn station.  On race days, the ‘box’ drivers turned out in very smart uniforms, which included gold buttons and chauffeur’s peaked hats, instead of their usual serge railway uniforms.

Friday’s excursion offers two options: either assemble at Leyburn station at 10.40 for the coach transfer to Middleham or join the special WR train for Leyburn departing Leeming Bar at 10.00 am (Bedale 10.06, Finghall 10.24). Booking is essential and the rates (excluding lunch) are £20 for the full programme, including both railway journeys (£15 for children under 16) or £15 if joining the group at Leyburn station (includes afternoon rail journey to Redmire) (£10 for children under 16). Telephone bookings with credit card payments to 08454 50 54 74; personal callers can book at Leyburn Tourist Information Centre (cheques or cash only). For more details see www.wensleydalerailway.com.