The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk

Suffolk

Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...

, England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping tracks used for Flat racing

Flat racing

Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...

 only. Between them they host 8 of British racing's 32 annual Group 1 races.

The Rowley Mile Course has 1 mile 2 furlong

Furlong

A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....

 (2 km) straight with minor undulations towards 'The Bushes', two furlongs (400 m) out. The penultimate furlong (200 m) is downhill and the last is uphill, forming 'The Dip'. Races beyond the distance of 1 m 2f start on the 'Cesarewitch' or 'Beacon' course which turns right-handed into the straight.

The July Course has a 1 mile (1600 m) straight, known as 'The Bunbury Mile'. After 2 furlongs (400 m), there is a long downhill stretch before the uphill furlong (200 m) to the finish. This course also uses the 'Cesarewitch/Beacon' course for longer distances, again turning right into the straight.

The Rowley Mile is used for racing in the Spring and Autumn, while the July Course is used in Summer. The Rowley Mile has a grass strip used by light aircraft, and formerly by the RAF as RAF Newmarket

RAF Newmarket

RAF Newmarket was an RAF station near Newmarket, Suffolk, England, near the border with Cambridgeshire.The RAF station was actually a grass-strip on Newmarket's Rowley Mile Racecourse...

.

The Devil's Dyke

Devil's Dyke, Cambridgeshire

The Devil's Dyke is an earthwork in the English county of Cambridgeshire. It consists of a long bank and ditch that runs in a south-east direction from the small village of Reach to nearby Woodditton...

 runs past the edge of the July course. About half of the racecourse complex, including the July and Cesarewitch/Beacon courses, is actually in the neighbouring county of Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...

.

Notable races

Rowley Mile Course:

• 1,000 Guineas - Group 1
• 2,000 Guineas - Group 1
• Abernant Stakes
  Abernant Stakes
  The Abernant Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.The event is named after Abernant, a multiple...
  
  
• Cambridgeshire Handicap
  Cambridgeshire Handicap
  The Cambridgeshire Handicap is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 1 furlong , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event...
  
  
• Cesarewitch Handicap
  Cesarewitch Handicap
  The Cesarewitch Handicap is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newmarket over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and the latter part is on the Rowley Mile. It is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was...
  
  
• Challenge Stakes
  Challenge Stakes
  The Challenge Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was established in 1878, and the...
  
  
• Cheveley Park Stakes
  Cheveley Park Stakes
  The Cheveley Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event was...
  
   - Group 1
• Craven Stakes
  Craven Stakes
  The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first...
  
  
• Dahlia Stakes
  Dahlia Stakes
  The Dahlia Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged four years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 1 furlong , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May.The...
  
  
• Darley Stakes
  Darley Stakes
  The Darley Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 1 furlong , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.Having been previously classed at...
  
  
• Dewhurst Stakes
  Dewhurst Stakes
  The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was established in 1875, and it...
  
   - Group 1
• Earl of Sefton Stakes
  Earl of Sefton Stakes
  The Earl of Sefton Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 1 furlong , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event was established in 1971, and...
  
  
• European Free Handicap
  European Free Handicap
  The European Free Handicap is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.It is a handicap in which horses carry weights...
  
  
• Fairway Stakes
  Fairway Stakes
  The Fairway Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May....
  
  
• Feilden Stakes
  Feilden Stakes
  The Feilden Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 1 furlong , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April....
  
  
• Jockey Club Cup
  Jockey Club Cup
  The British Champions Long Distance Cup, formerly known as the Jockey Club Cup, is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles...
  
  
• Jockey Club Stakes
  Jockey Club Stakes
  The Jockey Club Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs at Newmarket, and the final part of the race is on the Rowley Mile...
  
  
• Joel Stakes
  Joel Stakes
  The Joel Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event was formerly known...
  
  
• Middle Park Stakes
  Middle Park Stakes
  The Middle Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event was established...
  
   - Group 1
• Nell Gwyn Stakes
  Nell Gwyn Stakes
  The Nell Gwyn Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April....
  
  
• Newmarket Stakes
  Newmarket Stakes
  The Newmarket Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May.At present, the event...
  
  
• Oh So Sharp Stakes
  Oh So Sharp Stakes
  The Oh So Sharp Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event is named in...
  
  
• Palace House Stakes
  Palace House Stakes
  The Palace House Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May.The event is named after...
  
  
• Pretty Polly Stakes
  Pretty Polly Stakes (Great Britain)
  The Pretty Polly Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May.The event is named...
  
  
• Pride Stakes
• Rockfel Stakes
  Rockfel Stakes
  The Rockfel Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October....
  
  
• Somerville Tattersall Stakes
  Somerville Tattersall Stakes
  The Somerville Tattersall Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The...
  
  
• Sun Chariot Stakes
  Sun Chariot Stakes
  The Sun Chariot Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The...
  
   - Group 1
• Zetland Stakes
  Zetland Stakes
  The Zetland Stakes is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October or early November.The event was formerly...
  
  

July Course:

• Bahrain Trophy
  Bahrain Trophy
  The Bahrain Trophy is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
  
  
• Bunbury Cup
  Bunbury Cup
  The Bunbury Cup is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
  
  
• Cherry Hinton Stakes
  Cherry Hinton Stakes
  The Cherry Hinton Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
  
  
• Criterion Stakes
  Criterion Stakes
  The Criterion Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.The present Criterion Stakes was...
  
  
• Falmouth Stakes
  Falmouth Stakes
  The Falmouth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:The event is named in honour of...
  
   - Group 1
• July Cup
  July Cup
  The July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
  
   - Group 1
• July Stakes
  July Stakes
  The July Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
  
  
• Princess of Wales's Stakes
  Princess of Wales's Stakes
  The Princess of Wales's Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:The event is named in...
  
  
• Superlative Stakes
  Superlative Stakes
  The Superlative Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
  
  
• Sweet Solera Stakes
  Sweet Solera Stakes
  The Sweet Solera Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
  
  

External links

• Newmarket Racecourse (Official website)
• Course guide on GG.COM
• Course guide on At The Races