Newmarket Races

Newmarket is thought of by many as the headquarters of horse racing in the UK due to housing the largest grouping of training yards as well as many horse racing organisations including Tatterstalls and the National Stud.

That puts pressure on the racecourse to great facilities and most importantly great racing and that is exactly what Newmarket Racecourse does do.

The racecourse is home to 2 of the country’s 5 Classic Races- the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, as well as hosting numerous Group races including 9 of the Britain’s 32 Group 1 races.

Racing in Newmarket has a long and fascinating history with recorded racing going back to the 1700’s.

The racecourse actually has 2 courses, the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course.

The Rowley Mile Course is 1 mile and 2 furlongs straight with a downhill finish that makes for exciting sprint races.

The July course, which is referred to as the Summer Course, has a 1 mile long straight known as the Banbury Mile and features a long downhill strength before finishing with a 200m uphill run.

Once a year another course, The Round Course is used for the Newmarket Town Plate.

Racing at Newmarket takes place mainly throughout the summer but goes right from March/April until November.

Our Newmarket races live stream partners bring you coverage from each and every race from Newmarket racecourse live online.

Newmarket is one of the oldest racecourses in the world and one of the most important. The current track opened way back in 1667 and since then the world of professional thoroughbred horse racing has all but built around the local area.

Newmarket and the area of Suffolk that Newmarket is located in is often referred to as the headquarters of British horseracing due to it been home to a huge cluster of training yards, from yards featuring champions horses to smaller yards with up and coming potential stars of the future.

The area is also home to many key racing organisations including Tattersalls (the main auctioneer of horse races in Britain and Ireland), the National Horse Racing Museum and the National Stud.

With the course having such an impact on the infrastructure of the sport, it is no surprise that it also has a huge impact on the sport out where it really counts, on the turf.

Newmarket hosts 2 of Britain’s 5 classic races, the 1000 Guineas and the 2000 Guineas as well as a number of other group races including hosting 9 of Britain’s 36 group 1 races.

With so much great action on offer it is no surprise that so many fans of the great sport of horse racing are wanting to watch live racing from Newmarket and the great news is that it has never been easier.

No matter if it is one of the biggest racers on the calendar or a small meet many feature local horses, you can watch all of the action live via our Newmarket races live stream partners.

All of the bookies on this page feature racing from Newmarket racecourse and whilst there is a wagering requirement to be able to watch races live, the chances are that if you are wanting to watch races from Newmarket, you are also wanting to bet on the action so why not choose to bet with a bookie that also lets you watch the action live.

Here are our picks for the best races that can be watch live from Newmarket racecourse via the Newmarket live streaming services that are featured on this page.

Early origins: King James I and the beginnings of racing

The history of Newmarket Races dates back to the early seventeenth century, when the Suffolk town began developing its reputation as a centre for horse racing. King James I, who reigned from 1603 to 1625, took an interest in the area after discovering its open heathland while hunting. The extensive grassland around Newmarket offered suitable terrain for horses to gallop, making it an attractive location for organised racing.

Although horse racing had existed in England for centuries, Newmarket’s development under royal patronage helped transform it into a more established sporting destination. The town’s open landscape, accessibility and growing association with the royal court encouraged the sport to flourish. Racing gradually became a regular feature of local life, attracting horse owners, riders and spectators eager to see the best horses compete.

The earliest recorded race at Newmarket is associated with a £100 match between horses belonging to Lord Salisbury and the Marquess of Buckingham in 1622. Such match races were an important part of early British racing, allowing owners to pit their horses against one another under agreed conditions. They were simpler than today’s race meetings, but the competitive principle was already firmly established: two horses, two owners and a considerable amount of confidence.

Charles II and the Royal connection

Newmarket’s reputation grew considerably during the reign of King Charles II, who returned to the English throne in 1660 following the Restoration of the monarchy. Charles was an enthusiastic supporter of horse racing and regularly visited Newmarket, helping establish the town as a fashionable destination for the royal court and sporting elite.

In 1666, Charles II returned to Newmarket and became closely associated with the development of organised racing there. He supported the establishment of formal racing rules and encouraged the sport’s growth. The Newmarket Town Plate, first run in October 1666, became a particularly important part of this history. Its rules had been established by the king in 1665, creating a more structured approach to competition.

The Town Plate was significant because it was governed by formal articles rather than rules improvised for an individual contest. It helped establish Newmarket’s place in the development of organised British horse racing. The race continues to be associated with the town’s heritage, and its historic course remains an important symbol of Newmarket’s long racing tradition.

Charles II was also a keen rider. In 1671, he became the only reigning British monarch known to have ridden a winning horse in a race at Newmarket. His enthusiasm for racing strengthened the town’s royal connections and helped attract influential owners and sporting figures.

The Rowley Mile takes its name from Charles II’s nickname, Old Rowley, which was also associated with one of his favourite stallions. The name provides a lasting reminder of the royal influence that helped shape Newmarket’s early development.

The eighteenth century: Racing becomes more organised

During the eighteenth century, Newmarket developed into one of the most important centres of British racing. The calendar gradually expanded as additional meetings were introduced to accommodate growing demand. While racing had initially been concentrated around spring and autumn, new fixtures helped extend the season and attract larger numbers of participants.

The Jockey Club emerged in Newmarket during the middle of the eighteenth century, with its formation generally dated to around 1750. The organisation became influential in the development and regulation of British horse racing. Its association with Newmarket strengthened the town’s position as the sport’s headquarters, attracting owners, breeders and officials involved in shaping racing’s rules and traditions.

Newmarket Heath also provided valuable training ground for racehorses. Its open spaces allowed horses to exercise over a variety of distances and terrain, while the town’s growing network of trainers and stables supported the development of a professional racing industry. Over time, training and breeding became as important to Newmarket’s identity as the race meetings themselves.

The nineteenth century: The birth of the Classic races

The nineteenth century marked a major period of development for Newmarket Racecourse, particularly through the establishment of the British Classic races. These contests were designed to test the best three-year-old thoroughbreds and became important indicators of racing ability and breeding quality.

The 2,000 Guineas was first run in 1809 over a mile on the Rowley Mile. Open to three-year-old colts and fillies, it became one of the most prestigious races of the British flat racing season. Its position early in the calendar allows spectators and racing professionals to assess promising horses before the major summer contests.

The 1,000 Guineas followed in 1814. Run over a mile and restricted to three-year-old fillies, it established a complementary Classic contest and became a major event in the development of elite female racehorses. Together, the Guineas races helped cement Newmarket’s reputation as a centre for top-class flat racing.

Both races remain part of the modern British Classics, alongside the Derby, Oaks and St Leger. Their longevity reflects the enduring importance of Newmarket in identifying outstanding horses and shaping the future of thoroughbred breeding.

The twentieth century: War, innovation and modern racing

Newmarket’s racing history continued through the twentieth century, although two world wars brought major challenges. During the First World War, racing continued at Newmarket in 1915, despite the disruption affecting other parts of British life. The town’s established racing infrastructure and importance to the thoroughbred industry helped it retain a role in the sport during this difficult period.

The Second World War brought further changes. In 1939, the Rowley Mile became an official Royal Air Force Bomber Command airbase. The racecourse’s open land was repurposed for military use, illustrating how a historic sporting venue could serve a very different national purpose during wartime.

After the war, Newmarket resumed its development as a centre for racing and training. One important technological milestone occurred in 1949, when a photo-finish system was used at Newmarket for the first time. This innovation helped officials determine the winner in extremely close finishes, reducing reliance on the human eye and improving the accuracy of race results.

The twentieth century also saw major changes in racecourse management and facilities. In 1974, Newmarket Racecourses became part of The Jockey Club, helping establish the organisational structure under which the modern venue operates. Investment in facilities and spectator services continued as the sport adapted to changing expectations.

The Rowley Mile and July Course: Two distinctive racing venues

One of Newmarket’s most distinctive features is that it has two separate racecourses, each with its own character and programme. The Rowley Mile is particularly associated with the spring Classics and major autumn fixtures. Its straight course measures approximately one mile and two furlongs, with undulations culminating in the famous Dip before the rising finish.

The July Course hosts summer racing and offers a different atmosphere, with attractive surroundings and a programme that includes the July Festival and the July Cup. Its role has expanded beyond traditional racing through the introduction of live music events and themed race days.

The July Cup became one of the country’s leading sprint races, attracting high-class horses over six furlongs. Its place in the summer calendar complements the longer-distance and Classic contests staged on the Rowley Mile, ensuring that Newmarket showcases a broad range of flat racing talent.

1987 onwards: Newmarket Nights and the modern visitor experience

In 1987, Newmarket Nights was established, helping pioneer the combination of horse racing and live music at the racecourse. The concept broadened the venue’s appeal, introducing racing to audiences who might otherwise have been more interested in concerts than form guides.

Over subsequent decades, Newmarket Nights attracted a diverse range of performers and became an established feature of the summer calendar. The events demonstrate how racecourses have evolved into multi-purpose entertainment venues while retaining their sporting identity.

Modern facilities have also transformed the spectator experience. Newmarket’s grandstands, restaurants, bars, hospitality suites and improved viewing areas allow visitors to choose between traditional race-day admission and premium experiences. The result is a venue that can accommodate racing enthusiasts, families, corporate groups and music fans.

Newmarket Racecourse today

Today, Newmarket remains internationally recognised as the home of British flat racing. The two courses host major events throughout the spring, summer and autumn, including the Guineas Festival, July Festival, Cambridgeshire Meeting and Dubai Future Champions Festival. These fixtures attract leading horses and racing professionals from across Britain and overseas.

The town’s wider racing industry remains equally important. Newmarket is home to numerous training yards, Tattersalls bloodstock auctioneers, the National Stud and the National Horseracing Museum. Together, these institutions support the breeding, training, sale and promotion of thoroughbred racehorses.

From the early races associated with James I to the royal patronage of Charles II, the establishment of the Guineas Classics and the development of modern race-day entertainment, Newmarket’s history reflects the evolution of British horse racing itself. Its continued success rests on the combination of historic traditions, world-class horses and a thriving racing community.

For visitors today, attending Newmarket Races offers the opportunity to experience that heritage first-hand. Whether you are watching a Classic on the Rowley Mile, enjoying the summer atmosphere of the July Course or staying for a concert at Newmarket Nights, you are visiting a venue that has helped shape the sport for more than 350 years. And if your chosen horse happens to lose, at least you can console yourself with the knowledge that you have spent the day at one of the most historic racecourses in the world.