Middleham Open Day 2012 – Ann Duffield

Bedale Hunt at Ann Duffield's Sun Hill Stables – Photograph, Linda Haywood

We took the family on a trip down dale to Ann Duffield’s Sun Hill stables for Good Friday’s Middleham Open Day 2012.

It was great to see the stables – and the horses. Over the past few year’s, we’ve seen Mrs Duffield turn Sun Hill from an old farm into a fully modern racing stables – one which is currently producing winners for some of the best owners!

The training establishment is just down the road from us, near Constable Burton (on the A684 between Leyburn and Bedale for those of you less familiar with the local geography).

I was most interested to see the Solarium for horses, as well as the “magnetology” stall (I might have just made that word up, as I’m doing this from memory!).

We also enjoyed having a look at Ferdy Murphy’s visiting National Hunt stars – Ferdy Murphy trains from a base in West Witton, the village I grew up in, so it was good to be able to see both of these trainers in one go.

But it was most fun to see the representatives from the Bedale Hunt – hounds included – who were enjoying themselves. Perhaps the highlight of the day was watching them track down a pork sandwich which was en route to a couple of huntsmen: some long arms were required to keep a hungry hound at bay!

We had a great time at Sun Hill, which we followed with a good meal down at the Queen’s Head in Finghall, just a couple of miles away. Both experiences come highly recommended: visit them next year if you get the chance!

If any racehorse trainers in the Middleham area – or from further afield – are looking to improve their web presence, simply contact us at Silicon Dales.

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