Visitors to Newmarket now have a new attraction to see following the opening of the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art yesterday. The Centre, which has been 10 years in the planning and cost around £15 million is hoped to attract 50-60,000 visitors a year and boost the local economy by up to £2 million. The Centre is made up of the National Horseracing Museum, the Sporting Art Trust and a Retraining of Racehorses Yard which will hold up to 8 former racehorses and feature daily demonstrations. The Centre is being opened gradually to the public between now and 24th October with a formal opening, complete with Royal patron in November. The Centre will be open 364 days a year (only closed on Christmas Day). Tickets cost £16.50 with a family ticket priced at £40 (2 adults and up to 4 children). Tickets purchased at the Centre can also be turned into a 1 year pass, allowing free readmission for 12 months from the date of purchase, at no extra cost. In addition to the attractions there is a new cafe/restaurant called The Tack Room which is run by local couple Vincent and Ann-Marie Woolley (daughter of Lady Jane Cecil) who already run the very popular Pantry restaurant and deli in Newmarket. The restaurant is open to the general public, not just visitors to the Centre. The restaurant overlooks the Rothschild Yard where the RoR horses are stabled. Link to the Centre's Website
Lets hope they haven't priced themselves out, that is one hell of an admission charge for a niche museum. Even as an enthusiast I would hesitate, especially as the previous one was disappointing. A couple of years ago I paid for and went on one of the Newmarket Tours. I was so excited, having been crazy about racing since childhood and having read every book on racing history. The guide lacked knowledge, for instance said the 2000 Guineas was fillies only. The National Stud was the stud visited and there were literally five horses on site, all specks in the distance.
The Newmarket tours have improved a lot in recent years, they now often take in a trainers yard. I agree that the price for the museum is steep, though the free readmission within 12 months might soften it for some. I'd certainly make use of that being local and perhaps they're banking on people that come racing a few times a year to use it too.
Yes, that was the best part of the tour, to go around Park Lodge. The tour guide didn't know it was Jack Jarvis's old yard though, nor that Blue Peter had been trained there amongst many other famous horses. One of the stable staff showed me his old box which was still painted with Lord Rosebery 's colours. The Newmarket Tours are expensive, you might get lucky, but personally I think they should either use another stud in Summer, one with its own broodmares and non shuttle stallions, or reduce the prices accordingly.
I went in there one quiet Saturday morning and the lady in that section talked me into having a go. As II'm quite tall I must have looked ridiculous as I tried to ride the thing. My wife found it hilarious and then as I staggered off it I realised there was now someone else in the room. Lester Piggott was there with his son and smiling. His son then got up on the contraption and showed us how to do it properly.
