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Racehorse Sanctuary Open Day

Posted by Alison on
 July 17, 2026

Racehorse Sanctuary & Rehoming Centre Open Day | Saturday 5th September 2026 | 12 noon – 4 pm

Looking for a memorable family day out while supporting a worthwhile cause? Join us on Saturday, 5th September for the Racehorse Sanctuary & Rehoming Centre Open Day. Everyone is welcome to visit the sanctuary, meet our retired racehorses and discover how we provide lifelong care, rehabilitation and rehoming opportunities for former racehorses.

Whether you’re passionate about horses, involved in the racing community or simply looking for a fun afternoon out in the countryside, our annual open day offers something for visitors of all ages.

racehorse-sanctuary-open-dayMeet our retired racehorses

One of the highlights of the day is the opportunity to meet the wonderful horses living at the sanctuary. Many have enjoyed successful racing careers before retiring, while others have required specialist care before beginning a new chapter in life.

Our knowledgeable team and volunteers will be available throughout the day to answer your questions and explain how the sanctuary helps retired thoroughbreds recover, retrain and, wherever possible, find suitable new homes. You’ll also learn more about the ongoing care, dedication and support these incredible horses require after racing.

A fantastic family afternoon

Racehorse-sanctuary-open-dayOur open day offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with plenty to enjoy throughout the afternoon, including:

  • Meet our resident racehorses
  • Learn about racehorse rehabilitation and rehoming
  • Browse equestrian, country lifestyle and charity stalls
  • Enjoy delicious burgers, hot dogs and refreshments
  • Enter or watch our popular Dog Show
  • Meet fellow horse lovers and supporters of the sanctuary

Whether you stay for an hour or the whole afternoon, there’s plenty to see, do and enjoy.

Dog show with pedigree, mixed breed and novelty classes

Our popular Dog Show is always one of the biggest attractions of the day. Open to pedigree dogs, mixed breeds and family pets, the show includes a variety of novelty classes that are guaranteed to entertain competitors and spectators alike.

Bring your dog along and join in the fun, or simply relax and cheer on the entrants.

Support a charity giving racehorses a second chance

Every visitor helps support the important work carried out by the Racehorse Sanctuary & Rehoming Centre. Funds raised from the open day contribute towards the daily care, veterinary treatment, feeding and rehabilitation of retired racehorses, helping ensure they enjoy safe, healthy and fulfilling lives beyond racing.

Your visit makes a genuine difference to the welfare of these magnificent horses.

Admission

  • Date: Saturday 5th September 2026
  • Adult Entry: £5
  • Children: Free
  • Everyone Welcome

Racehorse-sanctuary-Open-dayTrade stands available

Would you like to promote your business to our horse lovers and supporters? A limited number of trade stand pitches are available. For information about availability and pricing, please contact Catherine McIlwraith by email.

We look forward to welcoming you

Whether you’re visiting to meet the horses, browse the stalls, enjoy the food or enter your dog in the show, our Racehorse Sanctuary Open Day promises to be a wonderful day for the whole family.

Come along on Saturday 5th September and help us continue providing retired racehorses with the care, compassion and second chances they deserve.

Dog photo by Timur Shakerzianov on Unsplash

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Alex Seth-Smith

Spring Round up

Posted by Alison on
 May 15, 2024

Spring round upWith spring finally with us we have been able to do many of those post winter jobs, which have been affected by the relentless bad weather, and get the horses into their new summer paddocks. And there is lots to look forward to with summer approaching.

FIGHTING TEMERAIRE HAS BEEN REHOMED

Fighting Temeraire has finally found his forever home. He will be joining Ellie who lives on the edge of The Ashdown Forest and she came collected him last Friday.

Tem passed a 5-stage vetting and Ellie is delighted to be rehoming him. She is hoping to do some low-level eventing with him and has promised to keep in touch.

OLLIE JOINS US AS THE CENTRE

Sowdrey, aka Ollie, will be arriving on the 20th May 2024 and join our group of retired horses. This will be his forever home as he will not be re-homed. He is 20 years old, Dam – In the Wings, Sire – Cadeaux Genereux, and bred by Darley at the Kildangan Stud in Ireland. Trained by Mick Shannon, he raced until he was six and came 2nd on several occasions.

Alex Seth-SmithALEX SETH-SMITH

We now have a new additional volunteer on our team here at the Centre, Alex Seth-Smith, who is a qualified practitioner of The Masterson Method®.

She explains – “as a previous owner of an ex-racehorse, I have first-hand experience of what can be required in this important period of readjustment. At The Racehorse Sanctuary and Rehoming Centre, my role is to work with the horses to locate and ease the tension that has a restricting effect through the body, using a specific range of techniques and touch. The Masterson Method®, enables the harmful effects of accumulated muscle tension to be released, easing excessive pressure on ligaments, tendons, and long-term compensation patterns. It is a pleasure to contribute to the rehabilitation process of these beautiful animals”.  

Alex visits us every few months to treat the horses free of charge.

Fete-in-the-parkDATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Fete in the park 2024

This year for the first time we will be attending The Fete in the Park at Petworth on the 29th of June 2024. It is a very well attended event, with between 3 and 4 thousand people attending last year, is a great family day out, and entrance is free! The Fete starts at 12.00 noon and finishes at 5.00pm, followed by a free concert until 8.00 pm. The Racehorse Sanctuary and Re-homing Centre will be there as a local charity.

Annual Open Day

On Saturday the 14th of September 2024 we will be holding our annual Open Day. This event is very popular with all our supporters, both old and new! Please put the date in your diary and come and join us for a fun day out. More information will be released closer to the time.

 

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The Racehorse Sanctuary and Rehoming Centre Open Day September 16th 2023

Posted by Alison on
 October 2, 2023

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We are incredibly grateful to all our supporters who joined us on our Open Day on September 16th 2023.

It was such a joy to be able to showcase two of our horses, Charlie and Fighting Temerairie, under saddle in our brand new sand school. Sophie did an amazing job riding them and the horses enjoyed the attention from the audience. Pete The Feat and Stake Acclaim were expertly shown in hand by Claire, bringing back memories of their time in the parade ring. Thanks to Nigel, Claire, and Sophie for taking such good care of all our horses, they were turned out beautifully and looked absolutely stunning.

All our other horses were either in their stables or out in the paddock’s where our visitors could say hello. We also had a mechanical horse for any up and coming young jockey’s who wanted to try their hand, thank you to Luke Dace for the loan of his horse.

One of the highlights was the “Guess the weight of Winston”, featuring the adorable Shetland pony, Winston. Thanks to Becky Green for bringing him along and providing some extra fun.

Our merchandise stall was buzzing with activity, offering a range of items such as books, cakes, polo shirts, caps, and cards. We also had a tack sale with donated items, and the rugs were particularly popular.

The delicious burgers at the BBQ almost sold out, thanks to Tara Best for generously donating them from her farm in Gloucestershire. Tara also took the time to take lots of photos and videos throughout the day, which you can find on our FaceBook page.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have had such a fantastic day filled with sunshine and support. None of this would have been possible without every single person who helped before, during, and after the event. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

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For the love of ex-racehorses