WELCOME TO NEWMARKET
LOCAL HISTORY

It was the nearby village of Exning that was one of the major settlements in this area during Anglo-Saxon and Medieval times.

After Britain was hit by the plague during the 14th, 15th & 16th Centuries, the population of Exning decided to leave their homes to contain the disease and build a new settlement nearby and so 'New'market was born. 


Click on the links below to find out more about some of the most famous people 
who have lived in this area of East Anglia throughout history.

Newmarket Local History Society

Horse Racing History

Newmarket Racecourse

King James I was the first to discover that the flat land in the area was ideal for galloping horses, and the tradition was carried on by many following English Monarchs...

The Shadowfax Stables are located in Newmarket, considered the "Headquarters" of horse racing since the sport blossomed under Royal patronage during the 17th Century.

It was Charles II, the "Merry Monarch" who made Newmarket truly fashionable. He used to move his court there from London for the big race meetings, so that at times the town was capital of England in all but name.

The first recorded race at Newmarket took place in 1622, when a horse belonging to Lord Salisbury beat one of the Marquess of Buckingham's for a stake of £100, then an enormous sum. But there were horses there long before that, for Queen Boudicca's Iceni tribe used the Heath to tune up their war chariots before battles with the Roman invaders who built the road that runs through the town and on into East Anglia.

Newmarket's Royal history is apparent at every turn. Near the end of the High Street the Rutland Arms Hotel stands on the site of King Charles' old palace, and just down the road are his stables, and the house of his mistress Nell Gwynn. The Rowley Mile Racecourse was named after the King, whose nickname was that of his favourite horse, Old Rowley.
The first public trainer in Newmarket, Tregonwell, Frampton, had Queen Anne among his owners. The present Queen, who maintains her family's tradition of breeding racehorses at the Royal Stud in Norfolk, is a frequent visitor to the town, and her daughter The Princess Royal, had one of her finest victories as a jockey on the Newmarket-trained horse Ten No Trumps in the big Ladies' Race at Ascot in July.

King Charles used to enjoy watching his horses being exercised on Warren Hill. Three centuries later champions are still being trained on the timeless turf, but much else has changed, and for the better.

Newmarket may be steeped in history, but it is now a centre of excellence where heritage and technology lie easily together:

Today, Newmarket is not just headquarters of racing in Britain, but arguably the world, with facilities second to none. There are 2,500 acres of heath and woodland devoted to racing and training horses, including 40 miles of turf gallops, 17 miles of artificial gallops and 30 miles of traffic-free walking tracks
.
The other facilities include a public equine swimming pool, two top class veterinary practices and a state-of-the-art research centre.

Europe's biggest horse auction house, Tattersalls (founded in 1776), is based in Newmarket, bringing a wonderful cosmopolitan atmosphere to the town in the Autumn, when buyers from all over the world come to bid.
A century ago the auctioneers used to sell horses in the High Street, outside the Jockey Club Rooms, but now business is conducted in a handsome domed arena, where bids are translated into yen, dollars and francs on the flickering number-board.

Newmarket is surrounded by studs, where some of the world's best stallions and most desirable brood mares are based. Many a champion has been born and raised in Newmarket.

Of course Newmarket is famous for its racing. From those early days, when the nobility used to match their horses against each other the sport has developed into a major industry that is a business to some and a much-loved hobby to others, but fun and enjoyment to all.

Adjacent to the Shadowfax Stables there are two racetracks, the Rowley Mile for the Autumn and Spring sport and the July course for the Summer There are top-class contests at both venues: the two Classics, The 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas; The July Cup; The Champion Stakes; The Middle Park and Cheveley Park Stakes; The Dewhurst Stakes.

Newmarket - Home of British Horse Racing

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