Newmarket Racecourse Guide

Welcome to our official guide to Newmarket Racecourse, the Home of British racing.

We explore this great racecourse in detail, examining its rich history, providing a guide to both of its main courses (the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course), as well as local hotel recommendations, fixtures, primary races, and travel information.

If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Newmarket, check out our complete guide to Newmarket Racecourse tips.

Find out more about both of the Newmarket racecourses today:

Overview of Newmarket Racecourse

Newmarket racecourse is a premier thoroughbred British horseracing venue, the current headquarters of flat racing, and boasts not one, but two, separate courses: the Rowley Mile and the July Course.

It is one of the most famous and iconic racecourses in the entire world.

With a long tradition of racing the town itself is also often described as ‘the home of British horse racing”, and when you visit, you’ll see why; Newmarket lives and breathes everything equine with a considerable amount of the town’s population directly employed in the industry, almost everyone you meet is directly involved in racing or breeding and with and able to tell you a story or two, that will have you engaged and entertained.

Newmarket town itself is home to the largest number of training yards in Great Britain, along with other major racing and equestrian organisations, these including Tattersalls (the main sales ring), the National Study and the Nation Horseracing Museum; Newmarket is a must for any racing fan.

Both Newmarket racecourses host flat racing only, and each has a capacity of just over 20,000 attendees.

The Rowley Mile is mainly a straight course of one mile and two furlongs in length. Races any longer than this are started slightly off the track and turn right-handed into the long straight.

The Newmarket July Course postcode map is a slightly shorter one-mile straight course.

Newmarket racecourses are known for this dip (downhill run) from about the 2-furlong pole before a stiff uphill finish on both the July and Rowley Mile courses.

There is technically a third track at Newmarket, but it’s not entirely relevant to modern-day racing and is used just once a year for the historical Newmarket Town Plate. This is known as ‘the Round Course’.

Newmarket racecourses host a packed calendar of events throughout the year. Like many other British racecourses, it has expanded to become a multi-purpose events venue that’s a local favourite for gigs, weddings, and large parties.

It is owned and managed by the renowned Jockey Club, which oversees many of the top UK racecourses.

Newmarket Racing Tips

Newmarkets Racecourses History

Racing at Newmarket can be traced back to 1622, when Lord Salisbury and the Marquess of Buckingham challenged each other to a race for the prize sum of £100; although it wasn’t for another fourteen years that any course was formally founded.

Some years later, in 1665, Charles II inaugurated the Newmarket Town Plate, a race still run at the course to this day.

FACT – When Charles II passed away, he became – and remains – the only monarch to have ever ‘raced a winner’ in a British horserace!

By 1840, there were seven annual race meetings run at Newmarket, and the town around it was fast gaining a reputation as ‘the place to be’ for those who enjoyed or wanted to work in the sport. It undoubtedly is still that today.

Whilst Newmarket may not have continued its Royal patronage quite as much as other notable courses in the UK, such as Ascot Racecourse, it remains the course of favour for jockeys, trainers and experts in horseracing.

It is well-attended and well-regarded, with many major race meetings and events taking place here every year. The Jockey Club runs it.

Main Races and Events at Newmarket

It’s challenging to identify the most significant of Newmarket’s race events, as there are numerous events, with the course hosting a clutch of Group 1 and other major race meetings throughout the year.

The biggest races held at the track are considered to be:

• 2000 Guineas – the 2,000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 held on the first Saturday in May and is the start of the Guineas Festival. It is the first leg of the English Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (the other races being The Derby and St Leger). The 2000 Guineas is a straight one-mile race open to 3-year-old colts.
• The 1000 Guineas is run the very next day to the 2000 Guineas. Again, a Group 1 race, the 1,000 Guineas Stakes is identical to the 2000 but is open to 3-year-old fillies only.
• The July Cup is a six-furlong flat-out sprint and another Group 1 event. Many winners go on to be identified as that year’s Champion Sprinter.
• The Newmarket Town Plate is run on the Round Course annually, over three miles and six furlongs. A historical-cultural race, prizes include a box of locally sourced sausages and is open to amateur jockeys only.
• The Fillies Mile – a one-mile, Group 1 race for 2-year-old fillies as part of the Dubai Future Champions meeting.
• Dewhurst Stakes – a 6-furlong Group 1 for 2-year-olds, often identifies the best 2-year-old colt of that generation.
• Cheveley Park – a 6-furlong Group 1 contest for 2-year-old fillies.
• The Cambridgeshire – a 1m 1furlong competitive handicap ran towards the end of the season always draws a large field and large crowd.
• The Cesarewitch – a tough long-distance handicap run over 2 miles and 2 furlongs, run in late autumn, and another hugely popular meeting.
• Falmouth – a Group 2 mile contest held in midsummer is a popular and social gathering.
• Prince of Wales – a Group 2 ran over 1m 4 furlongs on the July course.

As mentioned, there are almost too many top races to say, but the above are some of the main ones.

Newmarket Racecourse Tickets

Newmarket racecourse tickets are always in high demand for all of their meetings. You’ll find great offers, deals, and early bird tickets to all of their events throughout the year. We always recommend booking in advance so you can enjoy the day out and plan accordingly.

As racing at Newmarket is so popular, the events can sell out quickly, so it is best to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you are looking for the best deals on Newmarket Racecourse Tickets, follow the official link here.

Newmarket Racecourses Map

As mentioned, there are two main tracks at Newmarket. The Rowley Mile is used throughout the spring and autumn seasons, while the July Course, perhaps unsurprisingly, is mainly used through the summer.

With a long sweeping straight, most of the races take place on a straight course, but as the map above outlines, long distances are accommodated with just one bend taken.

This means that draw bias is not so significant, and with a broad and spacious straight, often the better horses come to the fore.

Is there a draw bias at Newmarket Rowley Mile?

The Newmarket Rowley Mile is a straight, level course with a well-maintained surface, which means that there is very little draw bias on this course.

Generally, horses can win from any draw, and the statistics support this.

That being said, the preferred position of horses is determined by their running style, rather than the draw itself.

What is the Draw Bias at Newmarket Rowley Mile 5 Furlongs?

There appears to be a slight bias towards low-drawn horses over 5 furlongs at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course. However, the bias is not significant, and the distribution of winners is relatively even across all stalls.

What is the Draw Bias at Newmarket Rowley Mile 6 Furlongs?

At Newmarket Rowley Mile, the draw bias for 6-furlong races is pretty minimal. Horses can win from any draw, but there is a slight preference for low-drawn horses.

What is the Draw Bias at Newmarket Rowley Mile 7 Furlongs?

The Rowley Mile course at Newmarket doesn’t seem to have any significant draw bias over 7 furlongs. The distribution of winners is pretty even across all the stalls, with no particular advantage or disadvantage for any of them.

It’s worth noting that Newmarket is a unique track, with a long straight and a slightly undulating surface that can test a horse’s stamina.

What is the Draw Bias at Newmarket Rowley Mile 1 Mile?

The Rowley Mile course at Newmarket is considered one of the fairest courses in terms of draw bias. In general, there doesn’t appear to be a significant draw bias over a mile on the Rowley Mile, with horses winning from a variety of stall positions.

Is there a draw bias at Newmarket July Course?

Newmarket’s July course doesn’t have any significant biases, although races can be stolen from the front if horses get a soft lead.

The course ranks 6th out of all 37 UK courses for front runners, indicating that it is favourable for horses that lead.

What is the Draw Bias at Newmarket July Course 5 Furlongs?

The 5 furlong course at Newmarket’s July Course is straight, which means that there isn’t a significant draw bias. However, the course does have a slight preference towards high-drawn runners, particularly in larger fields.

What is the Draw Bias at Newmarket July Course 6 Furlongs?

The July Course at Newmarket is known for being a relatively fair track without any significant draw bias, and this is true for the 6-furlong distance as well.

What is the Draw Bias at Newmarket July Course 7 Furlongs?

The Newmarket July Course over 7 furlongs does not show any significant draw bias.

What is the Draw Bias at Newmarket July Course 1 Mile?

As previously mentioned, the July Course at Newmarket is known for its relatively fair track, and the one-mile distance seems to be no exception.

There does not appear to be a significant draw bias at this distance, and horses have won from various positions. However, some statistics suggest that being drawn lower could provide a slight advantage, especially in larger fields.

Newmarket Racecourse Address

The official address of Newmarket racecourse is:

Newmarket Racecourse
Foreman’s Office
The Rowley Mile
Newmarket
CB8 0TG

How To Get To Newmarket Racecourses

The ways to get to Newmarket racecourses are:

• By car, Newmarket is situated in Suffolk and is easily accessible by road from London or Cambridge. There is ample free parking and four electric vehicle charging points.
• Train – a train station is in the centre of the town, and a taxi can be taken to the course, or a walk will take approximately 15 minutes.
• Coaches – on race days, coaches and buses service the course directly from Newmarket town centre and areas further afield.
• Air – Private airstrips are available for patrons, but they must be booked in advance.

Hotels Near Newmarket Racecourses

Newmarket isn’t the largest of towns, but there are a few accommodation options for those choosing to extend their stay beyond just a day at the races.

The town is within walking distance from both Newmarket racecourses, and popular hotels include the Bedford Lodge and Spa (a family-run 18th-century boutique spa hotel), the Premier Inn Newmarket (a budget choice with complimentary breakfast) and the Best Western Heath Court Hotel (an informal and relaxed hotel with restaurant and bar).

As Newmarket is frequented by so many ‘in the industry’ for work, you’ll also find a good selection of serviced apartments available for short-term hire; so if you’re looking to take a few days out and can work on a self-catering basis, these may be worth looking into.

Betting Shops Local to Newmarket Racecourses

Both Newmarket racecourses have betting shops and Tote betting facilities in all enclosures. Additionally, mobile phone signal boosters in the area provide patrons with the opportunity to place bets on mobile devices and online, even in the blissful countryside.

Newmarket staff are highly used to dealing with first-time race-goers, so don’t hesitate to ask if you need any advice on having a flutter. You can find the usual independent bookmakers close to the track, but the number available can vary by event.

In Newmarket town centre, you can find branches of Ladbrokes horse racing and Paddy Power horse racing, though please note that one Ladbrokes betting shop branch is situated inside the local shopping centre (known as The Guineas) and so abides strictly by their opening and closing times.

Other Events Held at Newmarket Racecourses

Newmarket is a stunning venue for large parties and is often frequented for weddings.

A diversification into music has seen the summer evenings hosting live music concerts after a day of racing on the Rowley Mile, with the 2020 ‘Newmarket Nights’ season having booked the likes of Tom Jones, The Pussycat Dolls, Brian Ferry, Rick Astley, McFly and Alfie Boe.

Summary of Newmarket Racecourses

Newmarket is the current HQ of flat racing and is affectionately known as ‘The Home of Horse Racing’.

A trip to Newmarket is a must for any racing fan, offering superb facilities, knowledgeable crowds, and a rich history.

It’s a place you’ll want to stay for a few days to soak up the atmosphere. There are two race tracks at Newmarket – The Rowley Mile and the July Course, and the brilliant Jockey Club manages the course.

A British Racecourse Guide top pick and one of our Top 10 Racecourses in the country.

We adore Newmarket, it is truly the most wonderful course and town – make sure you visit!