Newmarket, England - Definition and Overview

This article is about the English town. For other places named Newmarket or New Market, see New Market.

Newmarket is a market town in the English county of Suffolk, approximately 65 miles north of London, which has grown and become famous because of its connection with race horses and racing.

King James I (reigned 1603 - 1625) made horse racing popular there and King Charles I followed this by inaugurating the first cup race in 1634. In 1967 Queen Elizabeth II opened the National Stud, a breeding centre for Thoroughbred horses. The town is also home to Tattersalls, the famous bloodstock auctioneers whose sales are attended by big names in the racing business. The town also has a Horse Racing Museum and an Equine Centre for horse health. The town has special horse routes so the horses can reach the gallops safely and many training establishments occupied by top trainers. More than two thousand race horses inhabit Newmarket. The gallops and surrounding heath is chalk downland and has special birds and animals only suited to this terrain. It is also a very historical area with the remains of 6th century living to be found.

The town has two race courses situated on Newmarket Heath, these are the Rowley Mile and the July Course.

Newmarket is nearly in a detached part of Suffolk, a narrow strip of territory (300 yards) links it to the rest of Suffolk. Traditionally the town is split with one parish in Suffolk and another in Cambridgeshire.