Kate Walton Racing - Middleham

 

A Brief History of Middleham and Places of Interest
 

Situated in Wensleydale, nestling on the hillside between the River Cover and the River Ure just 2 miles from the busy little market town of Leyburn is Middleham with its magnificent castle ruins towering over clusters of old grey stone cottages, fine old Georgian and Victorian houses and its two cobbled market squares.

Middleham is noted for three outstanding features - its connection with King Richard the Third, its magnificent Castle (King Richard`s childhood home) with the largest keep in the north of England and in more modern times its horse-racing industry.

There has been a settlement here since Roman times and Middleham is mentioned in the Domesday Book when its name was `Medelai`.

This view from the edge of the Low Moor shows the magnificent outline of the great castle, once known as the `Windsor of the North` during the reign of King Richard III
 
One of the earliest most influential inhabitant of the castle was Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick also known as `The Kingmaker` who during the Wars of the Roses held both Edward IV and Henry VI prisoner at Middleham. It was in 1462 that a young Richard, (then Duke of Gloucester) first came here to learn the skills of war in the care of Warwick. It was here that Richard met his future wife Anne Neville (Warwick's daughter) and they married in 1472.

Since them Middleham is now more commonly associated as a Racehorse centre. Middleham is perfectly based with fantastic gallops and facilities continually improving, and many racecourses within the North on our doorstep. The growth of the racing industry began in Georgian times which saw the rebuilding of much of Middleham and the establishment of the first recorded racehorse trainer, Isaac Cape around 1765. Race meetings were regularly held on the High Moor during the 18th Century the last race to be held on the High Moor was in June 1873 after disputes between trainers and local gait owners (landowners with grazing rights on the moorland). From then onwards the High Moor has only be used for training. By then though racing was an important part of Middleham' s life and so began the history of famous trainers settling here and sending out winners at all of the leading meetings in the country. One of those trainers was Kate's father Sam Hall who won the Ayr Gold Cup, Ebor Handicap, The Yorkshire Cup, The November Handicap, The Casarewitch, The Lincoln Handicap and the Royal Hunt Cup to name a few. With good modern facilities Middleham contrinues to develop and prosper as a leading training centre.

There are various places of interest surrounding Middleham such as the Forbidden Corner, The Wensleydale Creamery, Brymour Ice Cream Parlour and many more. Middleham also boosts excellent countryside which is ideal for shooting and fishing. It is also a spectacular area for walking, wildlife and photography, having beautiful scenery on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

Following the exertions of the day there are many places to eat and stay in Middleham and the surrounding area from the specialities of the Fish Restaurant at the Wensleydale Heifer to the open fires of the Blue Lion.