Member Article

Duffields to miss Middleham open day for the first time since 2000

For the first time since 2000, trainer Ann Duffield and her husband George, the former classic-winning jockey, won’t be opening their doors for the Middleham Stables Open Day on Good Friday.

The Duffields have always been proud supporters of the popular Open Day, even welcoming visitors when it was cancelled in 2016.

But this year the combination of atrocious weather and building work at the Duffield’s Sun Hill stables at Constable Burton, near Middleham, have forced Ann and George to take the painful decision to stay closed on March 30.

“It wasn’t easy, but ultimately there was no alternative but to remain closed. We love the Open Day, and it’s a great opportunity to showcase our stables, horses and facilities, and to welcome friends old and new, but it would have been chaos,” explained Ann.

“This is the first year since 2000, when we haven’t opened our doors for the Middleham Open Day. Ongoing building work for two new log cabins and the horrendous weather has left us with a bottomless car park. Cars would just sink. The field where people normally park is very wet indeed.

“We’re very sorry indeed to let our regular visitors down, together with those who might have planned to visit for the first time. If you are interested in Sun Hill and becoming an owner, please feel free to contact us on 01677 450303.

“It is a pity, because our brand-new Sports Horse-training and Rehabilitation is now open and it would have been tremendous to have shown everyone around. However, we are looking forward to welcoming visitors throughout the year, once this awful weather has cleared up,” said Ann.

Meanwhile the Duffields are thrilled with the success of their award-winning £1.5 million luxury log cabin development, even though building work on the two new cabins, which open next week, has played havoc with the top fields at Sun Hill.

Ann Duffield commented: “We are thrilled that our new cabins are now ready to open. We have worked tremendously hard to make the cabins luxurious and welcoming.

She explained: “Since our log cabins opened in October 2013, they have proved immensely popular and their high occupancy rate has both delighted and astounded us. This amazing take-up is way beyond our expectations.

“It is always important to diversify and we already have two very popular holiday cottages. We are blessed with an amazing location at Sun Hill and we thought we would make the most of it. The top field, next to the gallops, was not being used, and ideally located to enjoy the spectacular views and horses in training, so we thought we would develop it in a sensitive and creative way’’.

For further information, please contact Ann Duffield on 01677 450303 or at ann@annduffield.co.uk and www.annduffield.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .