The Jockey Club Rooms, based on Newmarket’s High Street, is arguably one of the most exclusive clubs in the country, boasting no less than six Prime Ministers on its list of members.
As impressive as this is, the venue is so much more than just a members’ club, it is the place where the sport of horseracing as we know it was shaped.
It all began with a group of gentlemen meeting up regularly at the Star and Garter pub in London’s Pall Mall to share a mutual passion for horseracing. Soon afterwards, the club relocated to Newmarket where it built a Coffee House to host its future meetings.
The rules that this small group of racing enthusiasts established to ensure fair racing on Newmarket’s Heath proved so successful that they were quickly adopted by other racecourses across the country and the world. Eventually, after much development and growth, the group took on the responsibility of becoming the official governing body for horseracing in Britain.
This group was, of course, The Jockey Club, and the original Coffee House still survives to this day as part of the Jockey Club Rooms.
If you are interested in visiting the very room where many of the most important decisions in the evolution of horseracing were made, click here to find out more.
21/11/2023
Six ways to get in the Christmas spirit
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, especially in Newmarket where we’ve been busy planning festive fun for everyone.
14/11/2023
Five of the tastiest afternoon teas
On a brisk autumn day, there are few better ways to get cosy than with a piping hot cup of tea.
07/11/2023
We are hiring!
THIS POSITION HAS NOW CLOSED.
Job Opportunity: Marketing Executive
Discover Newmarket is the official tourism body for Newmarket and the surrounding area.
06/11/2023
Everyone’s welcome in Newmarket
We’re working hard to make Newmarket a more inclusive and accessible place – we want everyone to have a fantastic time in the home of horseracing.
02/11/2023
Newmarket Christmas Lights Switch On!
Join us for this year’s ‘Christmas Lights Switch On’ on Friday 17th November, with the fun starting at 4.30pm!
20/10/2023
Dine out on sausages all week with our Sausage Safari!
In celebration of Newmarket’s annual Sausage Festival on Saturday 4th November, some of our wonderful cafes and restaurants will be serving specially created sausage dishes on their menus during the preceding week (28th October to 4th November).
16/10/2023
Discover Newmarket is recruiting!
PLEASE NOTE THIS POSITION HAS NOW CLOSED
Sales and Tours Co-ordinator
Discover Newmarket is the official tourism body for Newmarket and the surrounding area.
11/10/2023
The Annual Newmarket Sausage Festival is Back!
From royalty to the hard-working groom, sizzling Newmarket Sausages are every race-goer’s favourite, and to mark the long-tradition of this award-winning street food, the annual Newmarket Sausage Festival returns for the second year on Saturday 4 November.