DESPITE the weather many people visited Ferdy Murphy's Wynbury Stables at West Witton on Sunday and so helped to raise £500 for the charity, Children Today.

The open day was attended by the charity's director, Alan Dodd and his wife, and the local representative Garry West.

Visitors were able to see horses like Truckers Tavern which came second in the 2003 Cheltenham Gold Cup and Granite D'Estruval which has won the Irish Grand National and came second in the Scottish Grand National.

Among the visitors was Gerry Scott who rode the English Grand National winner in 1960 and became the only ex-jockey to start a Grand National (in 1996). He was the first ex-jockey to be employed by the Jockey Club as a starter and did that job for 30 years until his retirement about 18 months ago.

The staff at the stables paraded horses several times during the open day. Refreshments were provided by Sams of Leyburn.

* Pictured, from left are: Truckers Tavern with Keith Mercer, Garry West, Alan Dodd, Ferdy Murphy and Granite D'Estruval.