Behind-the-scenes look at horse racing in the North East

The event will take place from August 22 to 31 and will include free open days at racehorse training yards, studs, and retraining centres across the country, including several in the North East.

Visitors will be able to meet the horses, see family-friendly demonstrations, and learn more about the sport in a hands-on setting.

Olly Murphy, a racehorse trainer based in Warwickshire, said: “National Racehorse Week is a brilliant initiative that I am proud to have been a part of across the last four years.

“It is an incredibly important event for our sport, and it is great to welcome newcomers, curious minds and sport lovers to learn more year in year out.

“With 2025 seeing around 700 people visiting us at Warren Chase, I hope to see even more faces joining us this year.”

The week is designed to offer the public a rare glimpse into the daily lives of racehorses and the people who care for them.

Visitors can watch horses in training, meet retired equine stars, and even chat with some of Britain’s best-known jockeys.

Every event is free to attend, and organisers hope to inspire a new generation of racing fans, especially as 2026 is the Chinese Year of the Horse.

To mark the occasion, Great British Racing has pledged to give 8,000 young people the chance to meet a Thoroughbred in person this year.

Seventeen events are scheduled across the North East, with more than 17,000 spaces available nationwide at over 100 open days.

One of the first events in the region will be held at Girsonfield Race Yard near Otterburn in Northumberland on August 22.

National Racehorse Week aims to highlight the care and training that goes into preparing these athletes for the track, while also celebrating their role in British culture and sport.

It also offers a broader understanding of how the industry supports the well-being of racehorses throughout their lives, including their careers after racing.

To check for events near you or book a space, visit nationalracehorseweek.uk using the postcode search tool.