Discover Newmarket, organisers of Newmarket’s annual Sausage Festival, is delighted to announce Musk’s Sausages as the headline sponsor of this year’s event. Their valued support will help make the festival an even bigger celebration of quality local food, community spirit, and one of Newmarket’s most popular and quirky annual events.
A Newmarket Recipe Since 1884
Musk’s was founded by James and Elizabeth Musk in 1884. Elizabeth was already a butcher and originally mixed the ingredients at the couple’s farmhouse in nearby Stetchworth. The mixture was then transported to Newmarket and made into sausages.
The business quickly earned a strong reputation, moving from Market Street to a prominent shop on Newmarket High Street in 1905. More than 140 years later, the original blend of spices remains a closely guarded secret.
From the Racecourse to the Royal Household
Newmarket sausages have been associated with the town’s racing heritage for centuries. They were sold as a quick hot snack during the racing season, with visitors also buying them to take home.
Musk’s received its first Royal Warrant from George, Prince of Wales, in 1907. Further Royal Warrants followed from Edward, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II.
Although the High Street shop closed in 1979, the secret recipe survived several changes of ownership. Musk’s sausages are now produced at Acorn Business Centre in Newmarket using British pork shoulder and the traditional blend of spices.
In 2012, the Newmarket sausage received Protected Geographical Indication status. This means it must be produced within a defined area around Newmarket and made according to strict specifications.
The Newmarket Sausage Festival
From a Stetchworth farmhouse to Royal tables, Musk’s has remained part of Newmarket’s story since 1884 and Discover Newmarket is immensely grateful for the company’s support as headline sponsor of this year’s Sausage Festival, helping to celebrate the history behind one of the town’s most famous products.
The free family event takes place in Market Square from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 26 September 2026. Visitors can enjoy sausage-themed activities, live entertainment and food and drink from local traders.
New for 2026 is a Cookery Theatre featuring demonstrations from talented chefs. The popular Sausage Pan Races and Sausage Dog Competition and will also return.