Newmarket horse racing course info

Newmarket racecourse is both the historical home and the current powerhouse of British horseracing. Racing's headquarters is home to two of the premier racecourses in the UK - The July Racecourse and the Rowley Mile Racecourse.

Newmarket is the original home of the Jockey Club, remains the headquarters of many national and international racing organisations. The town has a unique environment consisting of the world's most extensive training grounds (situated on the world's largest expanse of tended grassland), over 2500 racehorses, some 70 licensed trainers and more than 60 stud farms where the racehorses of the future are bred. Newmarket is on the up and up, boasting world class racing and facilities and the stunningly picturesque July Course offering its own unique brand of entertainment over the summer months.

Notable Races Rowley Mile Course: 1,000 Guineas - Group 1
The One Thousand Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) on the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket, Suffolk, England in late April or early May. It is one of five British Classic Races. It was first run on April 28, 1814 and is the fillies' equivalent of the Two Thousand Guineas. As with that race, it takes its name from the original guaranteed prize fund on offer (1 guinea = £1 1s, equivalent to £1.05).

2,000 Guineas - Group 1
The Two Thousand Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race for three-year-old thoroughbreds (excluding geldings). It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) on the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket, Suffolk, England in late April or early May. It is one of five British Classic Races. It was first run on April 18, 1809 and takes its name from the original guaranteed prize fund of 2,000 guineas (worth approx. £110,000 today — 1 guinea = £1 1s, or £1.05). The race takes place early in the season and there may be little previous form for that year - last season's two-year-old form is usually taken as the most reliable guide to predicting the outcome. Although eligible, fillies rarely take part in the race any longer.

Bentinck Stakes
The Bentinck Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in October. It is named in honour of Lord George Bentinck, a successful racehorse owner of the 19th century.Prior to 1993 the race distance was 5 furlongs (1,006 metres). It was promoted to Group 3 status in 2003, having previously been a Listed race.

Cambridgeshire Handicap
The Cambridgeshire Handicap is a flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a straight distance of 1 mile 1 furlong (1,811 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in late September or early October.
It is a handicap race and was first run in 1839. The Cambridgeshire Handicap and the Cesarewitch Handicap, two weeks later, are together known as the Autumn Double.
The Cambridgeshire Handicap is one of the classic betting races. It's sub-title is "the race which makes men and breaks men" as huge fortunes were won and lost in bets over that race. Most renowned are the coups on Hackler's Pride and Christmas Daisy. The reported £250.000 won in bets over Hackler's Pride first Cambridgeshire in 1903 is an unbelievable amount in nowadays money.

Cesarewitch Handicap
The Cesarewitch is a famous flat handicap race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbred horses. It is run over a distance of 2 miles 2 furlongs (3,621 metres) at Newmarket Racecourse in October. Unusually for such a long distance, the race is run in almost a straight line (just one bend after 10 furlongs). A unique feature of the Cesarewitch course is that it crosses a county border - the race starts in Cambridgeshire and finishes in Suffolk. From a betting perspective, the Cesarewitch forms the second leg of the Autumn Double - the first leg is the Cambridgeshire Handicap, two weeks earlier. The race was first run in 1839 and was named in honour of the Russian Crown Prince, the Tsesarevich, who visited the United Kingdom and who later became Tsar Alexander II of Russia.

Challenge Stakes
The Challenge Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in October. It was first run in 1878 as the First Great Challenge Stakes over six furlongs for two-year-olds and upwards. The distance was increased to seven furlongs in 1977 and two-year-olds were excluded in 1985.

Champion Stakes - Group 1
The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in October. It was first run in 1877.

Cheveley Park Stakes - Group 1
The Cheveley Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in late September or early October. It was first run in 1899 and is the fillies' equivalent of the Middle Park Stakes. The winner is usually prominent in the ante-post betting for the following season's 1,000 Guineas.

Craven Stakes
The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course in mid April. The race is one of the main trials for the Two Thousand Guineas run over the same course and distance at the beginning of May. It was first run in 1878.

Dahlia Stakes
The Dahlia Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a straight distance of 1 mile 1 furlong (1,811 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in late April or early May. Named for the great international champion and Hall of Fame filly, Dahlia, it was raised to Group 3 status in 2004.

Darley Stakes
The Darley Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1 mile and 1 furlong (1,811 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in mid October. It was first run as a Group 3 race in 2003 having earlier been classed as a Listed race.

Dewhurst Stakes - Group 1
The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in October. It was first run in 1875. Jockey Lester Piggott holds the record for most Dewhurst Stakes wins with ten. This race is considered the most prestigious in the UK two-year-old calendar and often provides the winter favourite for the following season's Classic Races. Of the winners since 1980, El Gran Senor, Zafonic, Pennekamp and Rock of Gibraltar won the following season's Two Thousand Guineas and Generous, Dr. Devious and Sir Percy won the Epsom Derby.

Earl of Sefton Stakes
The Earl of Sefton Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong (1,811 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in mid April. First run in 1971 the race was named after Hugh William Osbert Molyneux, 7th Earl of Sefton.

European Free Handicap
The European Free Handicap is a Listed flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in mid April. It is a handicap race and the weights are based on the ratings the horses achieved during the previous season as two-year-olds.
The race is also a trial for the first Classics of the year. The 1991 winner Mystiko went on to win the 2,000 Guineas, while the 1995 runner-up Harayir subsequently won the fillies' version, the 1,000 Guineas. Other notable winners of the European Free Handicap include Desert Prince and Indian Haven, who both later won the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Fairway Stakes
The Fairway Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) on the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket in late May. The race is named after Fairway, a racehorse who became the leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland four times during the 1930s and 1940s.

Feilden Stakes
The Feilden Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong (1,811 metres) on the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket in mid April. The race is a Classic trial and participants often appear later in the Epsom Derby, possibly running in another trial race beforehand. The runner-up in 1994, Erhaab, went on to win the 1994 Epsom Derby.

Jockey Club Cup
The Jockey Club Cup is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 metres) at Newmarket Racecourse in October.

Jockey Club Stakes
The Jockey Club Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in late April or early May. The race was first run in 1894 and was originally run in the autumn. The first winner was Isinglass, the Triple Crown winner of 1893. It was open to three-year-olds and above between 1894 and 1962.

Joel Stakes
The Joel Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in late September or early October. It is named for the Joel family, prominent racehorse owners and breeders. The race was promoted to Group 3 class in 2003, having previously held Listed status. Prior to 1994 it was known as the Main Reef Stakes, and before 1989 the distance was 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres).

Middle Park Stakes - Group 1
The Middle Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in late September or early October. It was first run in 1866 and the equivalent race for fillies is the Cheveley Park Stakes.

Nell Gwyn Stakes
The Nell Gwyn Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a straight distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in mid April. The race is one of the main trials for the One Thousand Guineas run over the same course at the beginning of May. It was first run in 1961 and is named after Nell Gwyn (1650-1687), English actress and mistress of King Charles II.
Since 1990 two runners from the Nell Gwyn Stakes have gone on to win the One Thousand Guineas - Sayyedati, third in 1993, and Speciosa, winner in 2006.

Newmarket Stakes
The Newmarket Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) on the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket in late April or early May. It is often used as a trial race for the Epsom Derby, although the race has not been contested by any subsequent Derby winners in the period covered below.

Oh So Sharp Stakes
The Oh So Sharp Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in late September or early October. It is named in honour of the racehorse Oh So Sharp, winner of the Fillies' Triple Crown in 1985. The race was promoted to Group 3 status in 2007, having been run previously at Listed level since 1993.

Palace House Stakes
The Palace House Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres) on the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket in late April or early May. It was first run in 1961.

Pretty Polly Stakes
The Pretty Polly Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) on the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket in late April or early May. It is named after the celebrated racehorse Pretty Polly, winner of the Fillies' Triple Crown in 1904. It is a trial race for the Epsom Oaks, and the most recent horse win both races was Ouija Board in 2004.

Rockfel Stakes
The Rockfel Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in October. The race is named after Rockfel, winner of the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks in 1938.

Somerville Tattersall Stakes
The Somerville Tattersall Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in late September or early October.
The race is named after Edmund Somerville Tattersall (1863-1942), senior partner of Tattersalls bloodstock auctioneers. It was upgraded to Group 3 status in 2000 having previously been a Listed race. The 1990s winners Grand Lodge, Even Top and Enrique all went on to be narrowly beaten in the following season's 2,000 Guineas, while Aussie Rules, the 2005 winner, subsequently won the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

Sun Chariot Stakes - Group 1
The Sun Chariot Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at Newmarket's Rowley Mile course in late September or early October. It was first run in 1964 and is named after the racehorse Sun Chariot, winner of the Fillies' Triple Crown in 1942. Prior to 1974 the race was restricted to three year old fillies. Prior to 2000, the race distance was 1 mile 2 furlongs (2,012 metres). The race was given Group 1 status in 2004, having previously been a Group 2.

Zetland Stakes
The Zetland Stakes is a flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) on the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket in late October or early November. Until recently the race was won regularly by subsequent top class stayers, but since the late 1990s the standard has not been quite so high and as a result the race lost its Listed status in 2007.

July Course: Bunbury Cup
The Bunbury Cup is a flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) on the July Course at Newmarket Racecourse in early July. It is named in honour of Sir Charles Bunbury (1740-1820), the owner of Diomed, the first Epsom Derby winner. As Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, Bunbury introduced the two Classic Races held at Newmarket, the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas. The Bunbury Cup is a handicap race for horses officially rated 0 to 105.

Cherry Hinton Stakes
The Cherry Hinton Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) on the July Course at Newmarket Racecourse in early July.

Criterion Stakes
The Criterion Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Newmarket's July course in late June or early July. The race was first run in 1978 and was upgraded from Listed status to Group 3 in 1986.

Falmouth Stakes - Group 1
The Falmouth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) on the July Course at Newmarket Racecourse in early July. It was first run in 1911 and named in honour of 6th Viscount Falmouth, who had been a leading owner/breeder in the 19th century. The race was restricted to the three-year-old generation only until 1973, and from 1975 to 1991 it was known as the Child Stakes. When the Pattern system was introduced in 1971 the race was given Group 3 status, and it has been upgraded twice since, to Group 2 in 1987 and to Group 1 in 2004.

July Cup - Group 1
The July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) on the July Course at Newmarket Racecourse in early July. It was first run in 1876. It is one of the top sprint races in Europe, and is often contested by horses which ran previously in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

July Stakes
The July Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) on the July Course at Newmarket Racecourse in early July. First run in 1786, it is the oldest two-year-old race in the British Flat racing calendar.

Princess of Wales's Stakes
The Princess of Wales's Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) on the July Course at Newmarket Racecourse in early July. The race was originally named after Alexandra of Denmark during her tenure as Princess of Wales.

Superlative Stakes
The Superlative Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbreds run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) on the July Course at Newmarket Racecourse in early July. Prior to 1991 the race was known as the Bernard van Cutsem Stakes, named in honour of the racehorse trainer Bernard van Cutsem. It was promoted from Listed to Group 3 class in 2003, and upgraded again to Group 2 status in 2006. The race has been sponsored by Weatherbys since 1996.

Sweet Solera Stakes
The Sweet Solera Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Newmarket's July Course in August. The race was upgraded to Group 3 status in 2004. It is named in honour of Sweet Solera, winner of the One Thousand Guineas and Oaks in 1961.  

Course Details

Flat (July Course):
July course is 2 miles 24 yards, with right-handed bend at halfway, the first mile being part of the Cesarewitch course, the last the straight Bunbury Mile. All races upto a mile are on straight course. Undulating, rising the last furlong to the post. The July Course has a straight of 1 mile, known as 'The Bunbury Mile'. After two furlongs (400 m), there is a long downhill stretch before the uphill furlong (200 m) to the finish. This course also uses the 'Cesarewitch/Beacon' course for longer distances, again turning right into the straight.

Effect Of Draw:
Any advantage in the draw is dependent on the position of the stalls.   Flat (Rowley Mile):
Right-handed 2m2f Cesarewitch Course turning into undulating 1m2f straight. Uphill final furlong exposes stamina weaknesses. Wide and galloping; good test. The Rowley Mile Course has a straight of 1 mile 2 furlongs (2,012 m) with minor undulations towards 'The Bushes', two furlongs (400 m) out. The penultimate furlong (200 m) is downhill and the last is uphill, forming 'The Dip'. Races beyond the distance of 1 m 2f (2,012 m) start on the 'Cesarewitch' or 'Beacon' course which turns right-handed into the straight.

Effect Of Draw:
No significant advantage.
The Rowley Mile is used for racing in the Spring and Autumn, while the July Course is used in Summer.


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Contact Newmarket race course

Newmarket Racecourses
Westfield House
The Links
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 0TG

Tel: 01638 675 500

e-mail: newmarket@rht.net
Internet site: http://www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk/

How to get to Newmarket race course