Rowley Mile Racecourse Newmarket

NEWMARKET ROWLEY MILE RACECOURSE

Newmarket’s main course is the Rowley Mile course. This is the only course in which the runners pass through two counties (Cambridgeshire and Suffolk) during races. The July Course is used for the summer months but for the rest of the time the Rowley Mile Course is used. As you would expect the course has excellent facilities however the one big drawback is the viewing, as the course is one long straight the horses are only visible to the naked eye during the last couple of furlongs. Both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas are held on the Rowley Mile course normally in May.

Key Characteristics

The Rowley Mile course is massively wide and due to the amount of racing on it the rails are constantly moved and different parts of it used, so it is difficult to be conclusive about any overall biases which exist. You need to watch the earlier races on the same day. The course is a straight course with a slightly inclined finish so if horses go off to fast in the 5 or 6 furlong races then they don’t get home.

Course map

Interesting Facts about Newmarket Rowley Mile

The Rowley Mile is one of Newmarket’s two racecourses.
It is named after King Charles II, whose nickname was Old Rowley.
The 2,000 Guineas was first run at Newmarket in 1809.
The 1,000 Guineas was first run there in 1814.
Both Guineas races are among Britain’s five Classics.
The Rowley Mile is used mainly during the spring and autumn.
Its straight course has a pronounced descent followed by a rising finish.
The Cambridgeshire and Cesarewitch form Newmarket’s historic autumn double.
Newmarket has been regarded as the headquarters of British Flat racing for centuries.
The Rowley Mile and July Course occupy separate parts of Newmarket Heath.