Racing in Newmarket

No visitor to Newmarket can fail to notice just how much of a role racing plays in the town, both now and in its past. In fact, the town is now home to the National Horseracing Museum, a favourite with visitors to the area.

Many people visit Newmarket simply because of their interest in racing and its history. In the past, the attraction was the same: notable people of England would come here to gamble and race.

The town has a number of special horse routes to help horses safely reach the gallops from their training areas. At present, more than 2,500 horses live in the area – and the human population is just 15,000. A quarter of all jobs are taken up by horseracing.

The History of Horseracing

Horseracing was not invented in Newmarket. It dates back as far as the Bronze Age, and in Newmarket dates back to 1174. However, it was made popular and became associated with the town after James I of Scotland arrived in 1603. He was forced to stay there overnight due to the weather, and realised that the landscape was perfect for his horses. This usually involved hunting, though he also owned racehorses, and did attend races at Newmarket in later years.

James' son and successor, Charles I, was also interested in horseracing and spent a lot of time in Newmarket, and a number of other monarchs saw the town as an important place to look after. Today, it is even said that the Queen visits around once every month.

The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club also helped to cement Newmarket's reputation within the race world. This was a London gentlemen's club that first came to Newmarket in 1752. It bought up much of the land in the area, and as a result had a huge impact on the way that racing was regulated there, and throughout the country.

Newmarket Racecourses

Natwest Rowley Mile: This racecourse is famous for being one of the most important areas in terms of horseracing in Britain. Many kings visited here to partake in their favourite sport. There is still a huge spirit here, and people come from afar just to experience it. The course is nicknamed the 'course of champions' with many top class racing facilities.

The July Course: This course is home to the summer race meetings at Newmarket, and is always busy from the middle of June to the end of August. It has been given the nickname of the 'English rose' of racing, with a unique, traditional feel in the area.