We’re heading towards Christmas at a rate of knots. It means that time is starting to run out to find the perfect Christmas gift for the racing fans in your life. Don’t  worry, we’ve got you covered with a selection of ideas that could help you avoid leaving it to the last minute.

Experiences

For racing fans, the opportunity to go behind the scenes and see what happens within the various sectors of horseracing can provide a wonderful thrill. If you’re looking to get someone the gift on an unforgettable experience then this is where Discover Newmarket can help. Our Gift Vouchers make fantastic stocking fillers and these can be purchased for a specific tour or for an amount to be redeemed for any of our tours. These can be purchased by clicking  here. And we can guarantee that whoever receives this gift will have a memorable time!

Whether they go on a tour of The National Stud, take in the art and history on a Champagne Afternoon Tea & Tour at the Jockey Club Rooms or go on a Race Day Tour, they’ll definitely love it

Books

Given its reputation as provider of massive thrills and dismal lows, horseracing has proved a host of stories of heroism, of great battles and personal triumphs. These tales can be found in the pages of a number of books and this wouldn’t go amiss  to fill a stocking or provide something to leave on the bedside table. Visit Tindalls on the High Street or pop into the shop at the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art at Palace House and browse their extensive collections of racing literature offered for sale.

Some titles to consider include: 

Taking My Time by George Baker.

Another tale that reminds us how incredibly tough life can be as a jockey as George Baker discusses the accident that  curtailed his riding career in the blink of an eye one day on the snow covered track in St Moritz in 2017.  Baker knew all about the highs of racing thanks to a career highlight win in the St Leger  but also had first hand experience of the crushing lows as he was forced to overcome serious head injuries and trauma after his career-ending fall. Now, with a new lease on life, Baker regales readers with his tale as he adjusts to life out of the saddle.

 The Heath & The Horse: A history of racing and art on Newmarket Heath by David Oldrey, Timothy Cox and Richard Nash.

This book offers a fascinating look at the history of Newmarket from its early roots during the reign of King Charles right through to the town in its current guise as the Home of Horseracing. With musings from Sir Mark Prescott in the foreword right through to the final chapter this book will have  the reader enthralled as it examines some of the horses and personalities who played a part in shaping the heritage of this wonderful place. This book is also filled with richly illustrated maps, paintings and prints which capture the topography, the buildings and of course the racehorses.

Birdie: The Best of Darren Bird

He’s become one of the most popular characters in racing thanks to his fantastic drawing skills and the ability to capture some of racing’s brightest moments as cartoons and caricatures. This collection of drawings is a perfect coffee table book and will no  doubt bring a smile to the faces when this one is unwrapped. Birdie has a great talent for immortalising some of racing’s best moments and characters with the coloured pens and pencils in his box of tricks.

A Horse

No, we’re not pulling your leg. Buying someone a horse could make for a wonderful gift. We don’t mean that you should wrap it in a bow and let it live in the garden though. We’re referring to the world of racehorse ownership. There are a number of options for people to take part in if ever they wanted to experience the thrill of owning a racehorse with several syndicates and racing clubs offering loads of benefits at a host of various rates. If you’re looking at getting involved in a syndicate, why not head over to our  Racehorse Ownership page by clicking here to learn more about an exciting partnership with Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

A phone call to any of the yards in Newmarket or a quick look at their websites and social pages will also reveal a number of options for anyone wanting to get involved at any level.

Here’s a quick list we pulled together of trainers offering various deals at the moment and it’s best to send enquiries directly to them.

• Rae Guest (Bucket List Racing Club)
• Alan Bailey (Strictly Fools and Horses Club)
• Henry Spiller (HB Racing)
• James Fanshawe (Fred Archer Racing)
• Robert Cowell ( The Tigers Racing Syndicate)