The Gallops

Today at 730am I stood on Warren Hill watching riders exercising young horses up The Gallops as has been done for the last 260 years in Newmarket, the home of horse racing.

The sound of a couple of hundred horses - on a rolling canter for some and full gallop for others - charging up the five furlongs on Warren Hill was almost poetic. In the distance the roof of Tattersall Auction rooms was visible in the bright morning light.

With 4500 acres of land incorporating 13 miles of all weather tracks the facilities are one of a kind for up to 3,000 horses based in Newmarket. It's a spectacle not open to the public and the hill itself is an area reserved for trainers and Jockey Club Members only so it was a real privilege to witness.

After the thrilling view of The Gallops we made our way down to the National Stud and a chance to meet Pastoral Pursuits a happy stallion chewing the grass!

After breakfast and a final look at the beautiful art in the Jockey Club Rooms it was time to view the two racecourses at Newmarket.

The first Racecourse Rowley Mile was built in the mid 1700s and was successful until King Charles I complained the sun was in his eyes when watching the racing. A second racecourse July Course was built and remains a popular race venue even today.

The great thing about PR is seeing things behind the scenes and from a different perspective. Sometimes I have to pinch myself...