LOVERS of the Sport of Kings will be able to take an in-depth look at what happens behind the scenes next month.

This year’s Malton Open Day takes place on August 31 when 20 racing yards open their doors to the public. Plenty of on-the-day entertainment has also been arranged.

The day is sponsored by Betfair and is staged as a fund-raiser for four charities - Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Malton Hospital, Jack Berry House and Racing Welfare.

It provides an opportunity to visit top racing yards during the morning and meet equine heroes, jockeys, trainers and stable staff after lunch.

Afternoon events will be centred around the Milton Rooms in Malton’s Market Place where the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust will provide an interactive area for children to learn about horse racing.

There will also be a celebrity quiz with a guest panel, and a selection of trade and catering stands outside with various other displays and demonstrations including a natural horsemanship display at Tim Etherington’s yard.

Malton has been associated with the training of thoroughbreds for more then 300 years and is the third largest training centre in the UK, after Newmarket and Lambourn.

The area is home to more than 1,000 racehorses which last year were the winners of 600 flat races, 150 jumps races and more than £4m in prize money.

The yards open from 9am until 1pm, with Tim Easterby’s opening half an hour earlier. admission is £10 for adults, under -twos go free. Admission includes a free park and ride system with a bus every 15 to 20 minutes taking visitors to all the yards in Malton and Norton.

Further details can be found at maltonstablesopenday.co.uk