Royal Visit to Newmarket Celebrates Heritage and Progress
On Tuesday, July 22, The King and Queen were welcomed to Newmarket—the historic heart of British racing—for a day-long visit involving key institutions including The National Stud and The Jockey Club Rooms. Their Majesties are both Honorary Members and Joint Patrons of The Jockey Club, and Her Majesty is also Patron of The National Stud.
The day began at The National Stud, where Their Majesties viewed resident stallions Lope Y Fernandez, Bradsell, Rajasinghe, and Stradivarius, and were introduced to the site’s leadership and educational staff. The Queen also met author Katie Longbottom and illustrator Katie Fleming, creators of The National Stud storybook series aimed at introducing young children to the world of horses.
Connecting Racing to the Broader Community
Their Majesties then visited King Edward VII Memorial Hall, where they met local dignitaries, representatives of health and education sectors, and charitable organisations active in Newmarket. They also toured the town’s High Street, meeting residents and members of The Jockey Club Estates team, who maintain the region’s elite training grounds and provide vital support services like the ‘Heath Medics’.
At The Jockey Club Rooms—a venue with deep historic ties to the sport since the mid-1700s—Their Majesties viewed artefacts from the National Horseracing Museum and were greeted by Baroness Dido Harding, Senior Steward of The Jockey Club. A group photograph was taken with around 60 members of the Club on the lawn to commemorate the visit.
Introducing the Jockey Club Patrons Scholarship
The highlight of the day came with the announcement of the Jockey Club Patrons Scholarship, a new initiative developed in partnership with The National Stud and the British Racing School. The program will select two students annually over the next three years from diversity recruitment pathways, such as the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, to train at both institutions.
Baroness Harding stated: “The launch of The Jockey Club Patrons Scholarship provides a lasting legacy from today’s visit and offers a fantastic opportunity to those from diverse ethnic backgrounds who may not otherwise have considered a career in the horseracing industry.”
Championing Diversity in the Future of British Racing
Anna Kerr, CEO of The National Stud, also expressed pride in the announcement. “Our business activity connects breeders, trainers, students, and industry professionals. Welcoming Their Majesties today and unveiling this initiative marks an exciting moment for the future of the Thoroughbred industry,” she said.
The scholarship adds to a growing network of programs designed to increase accessibility to one of Britain’s most traditional sports. It reflects not only a celebration of heritage but also an active step toward building a more inclusive future in racing.
Learn More
To discover more about the new initiative, visit the official Jockey Club website.
For more international and community-focused stories in racing, explore the International section of RaceBuzz.
