Racecourse guide · Suffolk

Newmarket Racecourse: Guineas, Facts and Betting Guide

The headquarters of British racing. Newmarket has two courses, the Rowley Mile and the July Course, and stages two Classics every spring. Here are the big races, the history, how to get there and how betting works on course.

Newmarket racecourse illustration

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Where
Newmarket, Suffolk (Rowley Mile CB8 0TF, July Course CB8 0XE)
Run by
Jockey Club Racecourses
Racing
Flat only
Track
Two straight-mile courses with uphill finishes

Biggest races at Newmarket

The Rowley Mile hosts racing in spring and autumn, and the July Course in summer.

May

The Guineas Festival

  • 2000 Guineas (Group 1, 1m), Saturday
  • 1000 Guineas (Group 1, fillies, 1m), Sunday
  • Both run on the Rowley Mile
  • 2027 dates: Friday 30 April to Sunday 2 May
July

The July Festival

  • July Cup (6f), first run in 1876
  • Racing moves to the July Course for summer
Sep · Oct

Autumn on the Rowley Mile

  • Cambridgeshire and Cesarewitch, the “Autumn Double”
  • Dewhurst Stakes and Fillies’ Mile at the Future Champions Festival
  • 2027 Future Champions Festival: Friday 8 and Saturday 9 October

Newmarket facts and history

Four hundred years of racing on the Heath.

A king who rode a winner. In 1671 Charles II became the first and only reigning monarch to ride a winner, in the Newmarket Town Plate.
Racing since 1622. The earliest recorded race at Newmarket was a £100 match in 1622.
The first Guineas. The 2000 Guineas was first run on 18 April 1809 and the 1000 Guineas on 28 April 1814.
Fastest Guineas. Kameko set the 2000 Guineas record of 1m 34.72s in 2020.
The Autumn Double. The Cambridgeshire and the Cesarewitch were both founded in 1839. Backing the winners of both is the “Autumn Double”.
A Classic for Billy. Bow Echo won the 2026 2000 Guineas for Billy Loughnane and trainer George Boughey.

The track

The Rowley Mile is a straight course of 1m 2f. The second-last furlong runs downhill into “The Dip”, then the last furlong climbs to the line. Longer races start on the Cesarewitch course and turn right-handed into the straight. It is a wide, galloping track, and in big fields low draws can be at a disadvantage.

The July Course has a straight mile, the Bunbury Mile, which runs downhill for a furlong before climbing to the finish. Jockeys rate it a very fair track.

The Millennium Grandstand overlooks the Rowley Mile.

Getting to Newmarket

By train

Newmarket station. On racedays a free shuttle bus runs from the station and from the High Street, starting about two hours before the first race. There is a free bus to the July Course as well.

By road

Newmarket sits on the A11 and A14. From the M11, leave at junction 9 for the A11, then take the A1304.

Public parking is free on racedays.

Betting at Newmarket

You can bet three ways at Newmarket: with the bookmakers in the betting ring, on the Tote, or on your phone using the free Wi-Fi.

On your phone

All Jockey Club racecourses, Newmarket included, offer free Wi-Fi on course. The Jockey Club says you can use it to bet with the bookmakers it lists as partners.

Get your app set up and logged in before you travel, so you are not trying to verify an account in a queue.

In the betting ring and on the Tote

On-course bookmakers stand in the betting ring, and the Jockey Club says you can bet with them in cash. Their prices can differ from the apps, so it is worth comparing.

The Tote runs pool betting on course, with a £2 minimum stake. It takes cash and card. Jockey Club courses also have on-site betting shops. Read our guide to betting at the racecourse for how it all works.

Betting on your phone at the track?

Compare UK racing apps by their real App Store, Google Play and Trustpilot ratings.

Compare the apps

Newmarket FAQs

Where is Newmarket Racecourse?

Newmarket has two courses in Suffolk. Use CB8 0TF for the Rowley Mile and CB8 0XE for the July Course. Both are run by Jockey Club Racecourses.

When is the 2027 Guineas Festival?

The 2027 Guineas Festival runs from Friday 30 April to Sunday 2 May 2027.

Who won the 2026 2000 Guineas?

Bow Echo won the 2026 2000 Guineas, ridden by Billy Loughnane and trained by George Boughey. True Love won the 1000 Guineas.

What is the difference between the Rowley Mile and the July Course?

They are two separate courses. The Rowley Mile is used in spring and autumn and hosts the Guineas. The July Course is used in summer.

Is there a shuttle bus to Newmarket Racecourse?

Yes. On racedays a free shuttle runs from Newmarket station and the High Street, starting about two hours before the first race.

Is there free Wi-Fi at Newmarket?

Yes. All Jockey Club racecourses, Newmarket included, offer free Wi-Fi on course.

Sources: Jockey Club: Newmarket directions · Guineas results · Wikipedia: Newmarket Racecourse · Jockey Club: betting on course. Facts checked October 2026; fixtures and travel details can change, so check with the course before you go.

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