The National Horseracing Museum is celebrating its ten year anniversary with a major exhibition opening in 2027, centred around Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong love of horses.
Located in Newmarket, Suffolk, The National Horseracing Museum has announced its new exhibit, Majesty – The Queen’s Horses, set to open next June and run until September 2027.
The royal exhibition will feature fascinating insight into the late Queen’s relationship with horses and the role they have played throughout her life. From royal duties, ceremony and personal passion for riding, horses always held a special place with the late monarch.
The ten year anniversary marks a remarkable royal connection. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the museum’s current site in November 2016, having previously opened the original National Horseracing Museum in 1983, more than 30 years earlier. The royal link remains strong to this day, as Queen Camilla continues to serve as the museum’s Patron.
Over the past decade, the museum has welcomed thousands of visitors, celebrating the outstanding sporting art collections and resident former racehorses.
What can visitors expect?
The collection is said to include various personal objects, historical royal dress (both military and civilian) and rare items on loan from major museums and private collections. Objects from the Queen’s 1953 Coronation and the annual Trooping the Colour parade will be on display.
Visitors will also see several paintings and sculptures from world-leading equine artists from throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
One of the more recognisable exhibits features a bronze statue of the legendary Frankel, sculpted by Mark Coreth in 2015. The life-size horse stands in the centre of the Kings Yard, once home to Charles II’s horses, greeting visitors on arrival.
Accompanying the exhibit will include a programme of talks, masterclasses and special events, focused on themes of royal duty and freedom.
The future of horseracing
The National Horseracing Museum is set to undergo a series of developments over the next two years, adding new digital experiences and more interactive galleries, bringing racing stories to life.
The museum also plans to explore the in-depth history of King Charles II’s connection to Newmarket. Having bought his High Street residence in 1668, the monarch added a training house and stables – a property which became known as Palace House. This heritage site remains a part of the museum for groups to explore.
Group booking information
The National Horseracing Museum offers guided tours, interactive displays and a racehorse simulator. Groups of 15+ can access discounted rates on admission.
Tickets for Majesty – The Queen’s Horses will go on sale in January 2027.
For more information, visit https://www.nhrm.co.uk/events/thequeenshorses/.
