Over the course of two weekends in September, Coral Racing Club members who were selected as winners in our recent competitions got the chance to visit Joe Tizzard and Rebecca Menzies' yards.

The turnout at both events was incredible and the grounds were filled with Coral Racing Club members, all keen to see how the stables operate and to get up close and personal with our very own stars, Conservative, Diamond Days and Lady Mendoza.

One lucky Coral Racing Club member with Defi Nonantais

The first of the two visits was at Venn Farm in Dorset, where Joe Tizzard is based. Members were given the chance to head out onto the gallops to see the horses in action, before seeing another group on parade close to the stables.

WATCH: Coral Racing Club member, Tony, talks about his day at Joe Tizzard's yard
They were also joined by former Gold Cup winning trainer and Joe Tizzard's father, Colin Tizzard, as he spoke to the group about the facilities they have on offer as well as talking them through the work that some of the horses were being put through out on the gallops.

WATCH: Colin Tizzard talks to members about the different facilities at Venn Farm
Members also got the chance to speak to Joe himself about the upcoming National Hunt season and his prospects for the year, as well as his future plans for the Coral Racing Club duo that he trains, Conservative and Diamond Days.

WATCH: Joe Tizzard tell us about his stable ahead of the upcoming season
Next up was the Howe Hills Stable Visit with Rebecca Menzies, the members were again treated to seeing the horses in action on her gallops and everyone in attendance got their chance to see Lady Mendoza as Rebecca brought her out in front of the visitors.

Members enjoy the company of one of the horses trained by Rebecca Menzies

Rebecca Menzies provided us with this Lady Mendoza update following the Stable Visit: 

"It was great to meet so many members on your recent visit here, I hope you all enjoyed the morning as much as we did. Lady Mendoza is in good order, she’s been on an away day to the beach as part of her work, and we’ve schooled her over hurdles and fences at home.

She’s ready to run again, so we’re looking at Hexham’s fixture on October 4th. There’s a 0 – 100 handicap hurdle over three miles, but we’ll also enter her in a novice handicap chase over three miles on the same card. We’ve long waited to try her over fences – she won her point-to-point as a five-year-old – and this could be the opportunity to get her started over the bigger obstacles.

As always with Lady Mendoza, we’ll be on weather watch as the day approaches, so far the area has avoided much of the heavy rain that’s fallen further south, so fingers-crossed that continues! We’ll have a look at both options and make the decision nearer the time."