The Queen to officially open Newmarket’s new racing museum

Her Majesty The Queen, who is known for her love of racing, will be in Newmarket next month to officially open the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art (3 November).

The Queen is Patron of the National Horseracing Museum, and opened the original Museum on Newmarket High Street in 1983.

Since then, the collection in the museum has grown significantly so a larger venue was needed to showcase its collection.

The new National Heritage Centre is situated in the remains of Charles II’s sporting palace and stables built in 1671, and spans five acres in the heart of Newmarket.

It comprises three complementary attractions: the new National Horseracing Museum, a national gallery of British Sporting Art, and a chance to meet former racehorses, in the flagship yard of the Retraining of Racehorses charity.

Her Majesty will tour the venue and will be introduced to many of the individuals and organisations whose support over the years has made the redevelopment possible.

“We are delighted that Her Majesty The Queen is honouring us in this way by opening the new the National Heritage Centre,” said museum director Chris Garibaldi.

“Horseracing is a sport that we know is close to Her Majesty’s heart and we hope that she will be impressed with the new facilities – providing as it does the opportunity for visitors to understand the fascinating historical context to the modern sport and the horseracing industry.”

The opening ceremony will take place in the morning when Her Majesty will be introduced to a few of the equine stars in the Rothschild Yard, before she is shown round the museum and unveils the official opening plaque.

The National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art is now open to the public – click here for more information.