History of Newmarket Racing Stables
Since 1605 the Suffolk town of Newmarket has been recognised as the Headquarters of horse racing, the first seed being sown on Wednesday 27th February 1605 when James I visited Newmarket and realised that the wide open expanses made it the perfect place to stage sporting events, although it was to be 17 years later before the earliest record of a match on Newmarket Heath took place on Friday 8th March 1622. Charles II, the Merry Monarch, founded the Newmarket Town Plate in 1665, going on to win it twice himself, firstly on 14th October 1671 and later in the spring of 1675. King’s Plates were staged regularly each August and October in the early 18th century, with special mention given to the years 1716 to 1718. The earliest race recorded in Baily’s Racing Register was on 1st April 1716 when Mr Pelham’s chestnut mare Brocklesby Betty defeated the Duke of Devonshire’s mare to claim 100 Guineas. The Jockey Club was founded in 1727, although some would claim there is no connection between the Jockey Club operating in 1727 and the one which was thought to be founded in 1750.
Trace the history of the most famous racing stables in Newmarket, from the time they were first built, to the present day masters of their trade producing Classic winning thoroughbreds year on year, to ensure that thoroughbred breeding lines continue to put the town at the heart of British racing. I am grateful to Bill O'Gorman for the significant help which he has provided throughout this research project.
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