Horse racing fans were given a rare opportunity to experience life at a top Dumfriesshire trainer’s yard on Thursday.
To celebrate National Racehorse Week, Iain Jardine Racing’s Hetland Hill Farm, Carrutherstown, opened its doors to visitors.
Iain’s yard has first-class facilities for both Flat and National Hunt horses, with 76 winners in the 2023 season, and has followed up with a strong start to 2024.
The open door event showcased the inner workings of the racehorse yard to allow people to experience what a racehorse’s life is really like.
Great British Racing, who ran National Racehorse Week between September 7 and 15, carried out more than 50 community events.
And Iain’s was one of three yards open to the public during Scotland National Racehorse Week .
He was delighted with the success of the event, saying: “We were delighted to welcome everyone to Hetland Hill Farm and to see what we do and to meet our horses in training.
“We know people are curious about racehorses and what their lives look like away from the racecourse and that’s what National Racehorse Week is all about.
“It’s about opening our doors for people to come behind the scenes, talk to our staff, and get close to the extraordinary animals at the heart of our sport.”
Visitors of all ages were able to meet the horses, get a yard tour, enjoy live demonstrations, talk with the trainers, and ask questions of the staff who care for the horses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
TV personality Chris Hughes, who is a racehorse owner and ambassador for National Racehorse Week said: “The impact of getting up close to a horse cannot be underestimated. And racing has created a unique opportunity through National Racehorse Week to help people meet these incredible animals, experience the life of a thoroughbred and talk to the dedicated teams who care for them.
“There is nothing quite like this in any other sport.”