READERS of the The Northern Echo are being given a special opportunity to see behind the scenes of a top racing stable.

Ann Duffield and husband George, the former classic-winning jockey, have a superb set-up at Sun Hill Farm, at Constable Burton, near Leyburn, in Wensleydale.

And the couple have teamed up with the newspaper to arrange two open mornings with a difference, featuring visits to the stables to watch the horses work on the gallops and the opportunity to see the brand new crop of yearlings.

The two special open mornings will be held on Saturday, September 12, and Saturday, September 26, from 8am, with refreshments provided on arrival at Sun Hill.

Visitors to either of the two open mornings can watch two lots of horses working on the gallops, see how the stable operates and chat to Ann, George and riders, including stable jockey PJ McDonald and former northern champion Jimmy Bleasdale.

Guests will then be able to visit a farm half a mile from Sun Hill to view yearlings which were recently purchased from Doncaster Premier sales and Deauville sales for between £6,000 and £65,000. Some yearlings have already been sold, but others are available for sale for anyone considering racehorse ownership.

Representatives of the stable’s three main syndicates, Middleham Park Racing, ICM Racing and Grange Park Racing, will also be on hand to talk to anyone interested in getting involved in racehorse ownership.

AQnn, who had a 12-1 winner with George Dryden at York on Sunday, said: "We always support the Middleham Open Day on Good Friday but this is the first time we've done two open mornings like this."

Anyone interested in attending either of the open mornings at one of the friendliest racing stables in the North is asked to book a place by emailing ann@annduffield.co.uk