Discover Newmarket will manage Visitor Services on behalf of the National Horseracing Museum in an exciting new partnership agreed last week. The tourism organisation for the home of horseracing has entered into a formal partnership to look after all commercial aspects of the Museum including its day-to-day management.

The experience and expertise brought by Discover Newmarket’s team and its steering group, which includes representatives from The Jockey Club, National Stud, Juddmonte, Godolphin, Tattersalls as well as other key stakeholders in the town, will enable this new partnership to deliver a more cohesive and strengthened tourism offer.

As well as promoting Newmarket as a key destination for the eastern region, Discover Newmarket runs an impressive programme of guided tours of the area, enabling racing enthusiasts to go behind the scenes of some of racing’s most prestigious training yards and studs. Its packages include visits to the Museum and the new relationship will enhance opportunities to increase both general admissions and group visits.

Noel Byrne, Chief Executive of Bedford Lodge Hotel and Chair of Discover Newmarket, said: “We have always had an excellent working relationship with the Museum and this new agreement builds on the support that we have been providing for the last year.  Our extended partnership ensures that we work even closer together to attract visitors to our internationally recognised town. This is an important development for Discover Newmarket as an organisation, which has gone from strength to strength since it started trading in 2015.  Without a doubt, this is an exciting venture for both us and the Museum, which will bring huge benefits to the local economy, making Newmarket a better place to live, visit and work.”

The Hon. Frances Stanley DL, the Executive Chairman of the National Horseracing Museum, said: “As an existing stakeholder of Discover Newmarket, we are delighted that the Museum has been able to strengthen its relationship and bring on board additional expertise to assist with our ambitious plans for the Museum.  The trustees and I are hugely grateful to Discover Newmarket for the invaluable support that the organisation has provided over the course of the last 12 months.  The Museum plays an important role in the town’s tourism offer as well as supporting the horseracing industry nationally, and therefore our new union with Discover Newmarket is an obvious fit to ensure continued success.”

Plans for a series of exciting events, new exhibitions and an enhanced visitor experience are already underway at the Museum alongside revised membership offers.