Newmarket Racecourses
Natwest Rowley Mile
 If
you asked a person on the street where horseracing began, Newmarket would
probably be the answer. With roots deeply embedded in the history and
heritage of horses and horseracing, Newmarket has been the centre of the
Sport of Kings for more than three and half centuries.
200 years since the days when Charles II set the women alight with his
flying lovelocks and flourishing whip, the spirit of racing still holds
strong. Only at the heart of the horseracing world can you witness the
flair of emotions that the thoroughbred horse can command and demand.
The modern and imposing NatWest Rowley Mile “Course of Champions” boasts
world class facilities and world class racing. Today’s course is
identified by the magnificent Millennium Grandstand, opened by the Queen
in 2000. It dominates the skyline as you approach the course, a far cry
from the facilities that would have existed in the 17th century when the
King used to watch the races from the famous Bushes, which still exist
today about a furlong and a half from the winning post.
 Newmarket
has had a magnificent season at the NatWest Rowley Mile in 2005, with the
highest class programme of flat racing ever staged at a British
racecourse. The addition of the two-day Ascot Festival in the Autumn added
another six Group Races to Newmarket’s season, including two Group One
events. This meant that Newmarket staged a grand total of 33 Group Races
in 2005, including a record-breaking 11 Group Ones- what a season!
Newmarket not only holds the highest class racing, it is a hub of events,
conferences, meetings, exhibitions and dining. Offering modern flexible
facilities, first class catering and a full range of equipment in a unique
and refreshing environment, our aim is to provide outstanding facilities
for our clients. Most importantly we take pride in our dedicated events
team who will be on hand to help you plan your occasion to precisely match
your requirements whether it is for a small meeting in a private box, or
an exhibition for 2000 visitors.
Newmarket proudly flies the flag for British Racing, one of the most
passionate sports in the world. Few sporting occasions can equal the drama
and spectacle of our two Classics, the Stan James 1000 and 2000 Guineas,
and no other course can boast the status of Champions’ Day, the highest
class raceday in Europe. There is no other course where the electric buzz
rushes faster than a horse across the gallops. In racing, where obsession
knows no boundaries, Newmarket is a breed apart.
The July Course
Situated alongside the
National Stud on the approach to the town and is home to all of
Newmarket's summer race meetings. From mid-June to the end of August it
provides the perfect countryside setting for a fantastic day's racing.
Open air bars, the sun dappling through the trees and the thatched roofed
buildings make up the character of this distinctive and much loved course.
Known as the English rose of
racing, the thatched rooves, flourishing flowers and green velvet turf
give the July Course a unique ambience. The romance of the surroundings
creates a garden party atmosphere unlike any other course.
The charm and character of this much loved course have been enhanced with
the presence of 'Hugo and the Huguenotes' who have played their famous
steel drums for over 21 years at the course and remain as popular as ever
with the racing crowd. Music in recent times has featured heavily at the
July Course with the arrival of the legendary 'Newmarket Nights'. Starting
in 1987 Newmarket has played host to acts such as Status Quo, Blue and
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Each year marks bigger and
better acts performing sell out concerts in the open air environment of
the racecourse.
In the second week of July, Newmarket plays host to its flagship summer
event- The Ritz Club July Festival. This three day festival of classic
English racing begins with Jaeger Ladies' Day which is without doubt the
most stylish of them all as well as being an important and distinctive
occasion in the social and racing calendar. For the first time in 2005
Newmarket welcomed the National Symphony Orchestra and the remarkable
voice of Katherine Jenkins for an early evening concert immediately
following the afternoon racing on the second day. The festival culminates
on Friday with the pinnacle race of the meeting - Europe's best sprint
race, the Darley July Cup.
The July Course also hosts a series of very popular Saturday afternoon
fixtures following a Friday evening or afternoon card. These racedays are
a wonderful way to spend a summer's afternoon and are especially popular
with families.
You can not fail to be inspired by the distinctive surroundings at the
July Course-where summer racing has a style of its own.
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