National Horseracing Museum

The National Horseracing Museum (NHRM) is a UK-based nonprofit organisation and museum dedicated to the history and heritage of horseracing. Registered as a charity under number 283656, it is situated in Newmarket, Suffolk, widely recognized as the historic home of British horseracing.

Location and Facilities

The museum occupies a five-acre site on Palace Street in the centre of Newmarket. The site includes the King’s Yard and Trainer’s House, which house the main National Horseracing Museum exhibits, as well as Palace House— the last remaining part of King Charles II’s sporting palace and stables. The museum also features the Rothschild Yard, where visitors can meet former racehorses and learn about their retraining and lives beyond the racetrack[1][2][5].

Collections and Exhibits

The National Horseracing Museum presents a comprehensive story of horseracing, from its earliest origins to its development into a global sport. It uses state-of-the-art interactive and audiovisual displays to explore key themes such as the physical characteristics of elite racehorses and the importance of thoroughbred pedigree. The museum also houses a notable collection of British sporting art, including works by artists such as George Stubbs, Sir Alfred Munnings, John Singer Sargent, and John Wootton, showcasing the finest British sporting art from the UK[1][2][4].

Associated Organisations

The museum is part of the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art, alongside the British Sporting Art Trust and the Retraining of Racehorses charity. This collaboration strengthens the museum’s role not only in preserving horseracing history and art but also in supporting the welfare and retraining of former racehorses[2][5].

Visitor Experience

At Rothschild Yard, visitors have daily opportunities to meet and engage with retired racehorses, learning about their transition from racing careers to new roles as riding horses. This interactive feature adds a personal and educational dimension to the visitor experience[1].

Awards and Recognition

The National Horseracing Museum has been recognized for its excellence in museum services. Notably, it was a finalist for the Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2017, won the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category in the East Anglian Daily Times Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards in 2020, and was a highly commended runner-up in the Large Museum category at the Suffolk Museum of the Year Awards in 2022[2].

See Also

• Australian Racing Hall of Fame
• British Steeplechasing Hall of Fame
• Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
• New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame
• United States National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

The National Horseracing Museum continues to be a leading institution preserving and celebrating the cultural and sporting heritage of horseracing in the UK.

[1] https://www.nhrm.co.uk [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Horseracing_Museum [3] https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186386-d214840-Reviews-National_Horse_Racing_Museum-Newmarket_Suffolk_East_Anglia_England.html [4] https://artuk.org/visit/venues/the-national-horseracing-museum-4224 [5] https://booking.discovernewmarket.co.uk/product/national-horse-racing-museum/