Horses being trained in Newmarket

Newmarket has a unique place in the British economy, as the international headquarters of horse racing. The expertise built up over several hundred years has created a business sector worth more than £240 million to the local economy.

The unique ecosystem of racecourses, trainers and training facilities (for both horses and racing industry staff), as well as the vital supporting businesses, create jobs, economic prosperity and bring thousands of visitors to the area.

In short it has created a town that nurtures and develops racing talent at a local, national and international level and delivers a world class horse training and racing experience.

Newmarket is home to two racecourses - The July Course and The Rowley Mile – and over fifty horse training stables with up to 4,000 horses in training at any one time. The town is also home to sixty horse breeding studs located nearby, including The National Stud, the only commercial Stud Farm in the UK that regularly hosts public tours.


Horses on the heath at sunrise.

Europe's leading bloodstock auctioneer, Tattersalls, has its headquarters in Newmarket, and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2016, making it the oldest business of its kind in the world. Just a year later they announced their annual turnover topped 300 million guineas for the first time, with a record 331 million guineas worth of bloodstock sold. 

In addition, it is the headquarters to organisations that are leading the way globally in equine life sciences. Such as Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons, the largest equine practice in Europe, and the world renowned specialist veterinary centre Newmarket Equine Hospital.

Newmarket celebrated 350 years of racing in 2016, its horse racing history can be discovered at the award winning and internationally renowned The National Horse Racing Museum. The five acre site comprises three complementary attractions; National Horseracing Museum in the Trainer’s House and King’s Yard Galleries, Packard Galleries of British Sporting Art in Palace House, and a chance to meet former racehorses in the flagship home of Retraining of Racehorses.


Newmarket Clock Tower

The unique historic town and local area is a visitor attraction in itself with much to offer for all the family. It has a range of high-quality places to stay and eat, including independent retailers offering local goods. As of October 2022, 60% of shops in the town are independent. World famous stars also hold concerts at Newmarket Nights; the unique opportunity to watch the races and live music all in one evening draws in the crowds. In 2019 the value of tourism to Newmarket was £77.7 million, with 1.726 million trips being made to the beautiful town. The tourism sector is a key employer for those living and working in Newmarket as it supports 1,464 jobs in the area. 

Other businesses take advantage of the excellent connections of the town and its proximity to Cambridge. Away from the equine world Newmarket is also home to Unisurge, manufacturer and supplier of custom products for health care professionals, and further showcasing Newmarket is the The Arash Motor Company, developing and producing electric hyper-cars from its West Suffolk base.

The global home of horse racing, home to amazing advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses and only 14 miles from Cambridge.


Newmarket travel statistics