THE future of a horseracing gallops is under threat because of a dispute over the grazing of sheep on the land.

Leading trainer Mark Johnston has confirmed he is about to move his horses off the public gallops at Middleham, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

The decision follows a dispute between trainers and one of several gaitowners, who have an ancient right to graze sheep on the land.

Racing stable owners, fearing their horses and jockeys could be injured by sheep wandering under the rails of the all-weather gallops, have erected a fence.

That has led to a dispute with gaitowner and auctioneer Rodney Tennant.

He said: "They have annexed a huge section of the moor. My solicitor said this was unlawful and wrote advising that as such."

Last year, a horse and rider were injured in a fall after sheep crossed in front of Mr Johnston's horses.

He said: "Reluctantly, I have applied for permission to build my own all-weather gallops on private land.

"My stables alone employ 115 people who put £2.5m into the local economy.

"You simply cannot have a sheep worth £50 tops at market wandering across the gallops in front of work riders and horses travelling at 40mph.

"Leaving the moor is not something I want to do, but this is a situation that cannot continue and Mr Tennant seems reluctant to meet with the trainers, the town council or the gaitowners to resolve the matter."

James Bethell, trainer and chairman of Middleham Trainers Association, confirmed that other trainers were likely to follow suit and leave the moor.

He said the fencing was put up in May following concerns that the amount of livestock on the moor was to increase.

Retrospective planning permission for the fencing has been sought.

Middleham Town Council has ordered that the fencing should be taken down while permission is sought, but only after Mr Tennant gives a commitment to meet all parties to resolve the matter.

About 15 trainers use the gallops on Low Moor.

The Middleham Trainers Association pays £30,000 a year to the town council to exercise their horses on the land.

The sight of the horses galloping across the moor attracts many visitors and owners to the town.

King Richard III, who lived at Middleham Castle, reputedly regularly rode across the moot on his charger.