Anthony McCann will open the doors of Shabra Stables for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look this Saturday.
The yard, situated near Castleblaney, will give the public the opportunity to meet both the trainer and his staff, while watching some of their stable stars in action.
McCann said: “We’re going to be meeting and greeting people from ten o’clock onwards, we’ll have refreshments, tea and scones as they come in.
“We’ll have the first lot on the gallop from half ten. We’ll have three lots going on sand, on the woodchip, a few over hurdles and horses coming out of stalls.
“The second lot will go out 11 o’clock and the third lot at half 11.
“In-between that we’ll have a farrier in demonstrating what goes on with the horses and we’ll also have a horse swimming in the bath.
“We’ll start serving a bit of food along with question and answers from myself and the jockeys."
Familiar Dreams, now under the tutelage of Gordon Elliott, gave McCann his first Graded success at Punchestown Festival this year under Aine O’Connor, who will feature in the jockey Q&A alongside James O’Sullivan.
The Co. Monaghan trainer is looking to take it one step further in the coming season, as well as bringing on several new, exciting prospects.
He said: “The yard is up about six or seven horses compared to last year.
“Familiar Dreams has taken us to a whole new level, and we probably have double the horses we had five or six years ago.
“My aim this year was to win a Grade 3 – we won a Grade 3 bumper at Punchestown Festival. I’m hoping to maybe win a Grade 2 this year and push on from that.
“We have a lot of new horses in, a lot of bumper horses coming out around November, December time.
“We’re very excited about them and they’ll all be showcased on the day as well.”
McCann hopes that the open morning will give people a chance to see the passion and dedication that goes on behind closed doors at his yard.
There will also be the chance to view several of their horses who are up for sale and syndicate horses.
He said: “It’s a bit of everything – just showing people that it’s not just showing up on racedays, there’s a lot of preparation for the horses beforehand.
“Hopefully we get a couple of new owners. We have a few horses for sale on free leases for people to have a look at.”
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