The History of the Jockey Club

In 1752 the Jockey Club leased a plot of land in Newmarket where ‘The Coffee Room’ was constructed as a meeting place for the Club’s members. On the expiration of the lease of the land the Club bought the Freehold.

The buildings have grown over the years as a result of a series of additions to the original Coffee Room. In 1933 the front part of the premises was rebuilt to a design of Professor Sir Albert Richardson, sometime President of the Royal Academy. He cleverly incorporated the Coffee Room into the new building but soon after the work was complete the back quarters were gutted by fire. The building was re-constructed to a further design of Sir Albert Richardson, making the building one harmonious whole.

Over the years the Jockey Club has acquired a large acreage of land, and today owns over 4,000 acres of which 2,800 acres are devoted entirely to the training of racehorses, the remaining acreage being farm lands, woods and tenanted studs. Also owned by The Jockey Club is the world famous Rowley Mile Racecourse and the July Racecourse. Since 1969, however, the racecourses have been under the control of Newmarket Racecourses Trust, which like Jockey Club Estates Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Jockey Club.

In addition to the Jockey Club Rooms, Jockey Club Estates Limited oversees the day to day running of the training grounds. With some 2,000 horses in training in the town at the peak of the racing season, the Company has over 50 miles of turf gallops and numerous artificial tracks to maintain.

In modern times the Jockey Club Rooms have reverted to their initial social purpose, with the judicial functions of the Club being carried out in the London offices. During race meetings and bloodstock sales the Club is open to its members for socialising and for meetings of various committees.