National Museum of Horseracing, Newmarket
We set off on a cloudy day but had an enjoyable journey as the coach driver took a route via pretty Suffolk villages. We arrived at the front gates of the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket where we were given an initial overview of the site. After a refreshing cup of coffee, we went to the main courtyard for the “Meet and Greet” of some retired racehorses. We met George, a 16 year old racehorse, who was very friendly and two tiny Shetland ponies. We then visited some excellent displays in a row of stables where we were informed about horseshoes, different saddles, thoroughbred horses and breeding, racing silks and colours. In one of the stables, there was even a racehorse simulator – it looked rather daunting but one young man was brave enough to try it out – and managed to stay on!
In another building, there was an excellent display about the history of Newmarket racing and its royal connections from James I, Charles II and Queen Anne until 1857 when the Palace House was sold to Baron Mayer de Rothschild. There was an amazing over-size screen of a horse racing – showing its heart and internal organs – and we learnt that when jumping, a ton of weight lands on its front legs.
The final part of the Museum was across the road – what remains of the former palace of Charles II. It has a magnificent display of pictures – of horses! – by among others, George Stubbs, Alfred Munnings and a very talented, lesser-known painter and sculptor, John Skeaping, who was the husband of Barbara Hepworth.
We had a very interesting, informative and enjoyable day – very well organised by Joan, our chairman – and it complemented the Sudbury History Society talk given 2 days before on “Charles II and Naughty Newmarket” – we even managed to find Charles II’s bedroom – a Grand Day Out!