Following in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, a keen race goer, Her Majesty Queen Camilla has accepted the invitation to become Patron of the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket, the home of British Horseracing. The announcement was made to mark the first anniversary of Their Majesties’ Coronation. To celebrate, the official tourism service, Discover Newmarket has launched a new Royal Yard Tour which visits Clarehaven Stables, where His Majesty King Charles and Her Majesty Queen Camilla have horses in training.
Commenting on the patronage, the Hon Frances Stanley, chairman of the Museum’s board of trustees, said, “Queen Elizabeth II opened the National Horseracing Museum in November 2016 and was a wonderful supporter during her reign, visiting Newmarket on multiple occasions. It is with absolute delight that the National Horseracing Museum received this latest news from Buckingham Palace. HM The Queen, being a talented horsewoman, has shown great enthusiasm for equestrian sports over many years. We have had the honour of welcoming her to the Museum, most recently in June 2023.”
The National Horseracing Museum, including Palace House, the King’s Yard and Trainer’s House in the heart of Newmarket, is part of a five-acre site that tells the story of horseracing, from its earliest origins to the world-wide phenomenon it is today, and showcases the retraining of racehorses. Using the latest interactive and audio-visual displays, the Museum takes a different look at the Sport of Kings, examining the physical attributes of the elite equine athlete and the importance of thoroughbred pedigrees. Expect stunning works of art, contemporary sculptures, breathtaking architecture, through to equine science, unique bronzes and artefacts, and some of the world’s most famous racing trophies. [Admission: 16 years and over £15, children go free.]
Members of the Royal Family maintain close associations with more than 1,000 organisations. Among them is The Jockey Club which has a private members club, The Jockey Club Rooms, in Newmarket. Their Majesties recently announced that they will share patronage of The Jockey Club, formerly represented by the late Queen as Royal Patron for 68 years. The Jockey Club is responsible for 15 of Britain’s best-known racecourses and also runs The National Stud in Newmarket and the charity Racing Welfare.
