The Rothschild Yard
The Rothschild Yard, built by Leopold de Rothschild in 1903, has been returned to its former glory to stable re-trained racehorses. Four galleries in the yard explain the work of the Retraining of Racehorses charity and visitors are able to meet former racehorses in the Rothschild Yard. Get up close to the heroes of the sport – they are very friendly and love a pat! Our friendly staff will be onsite to assist you so please ask.
Find out how thoroughbreds can be very effectively re-trained for a satisfying and successful life beyond horseracing.
At 1.30pm there is a Behind the Scenes tour with the yard team for all visitors to enjoy. Every day the tour is different.
An official partner of the National Horseracing Museum
Arena Racing Company (ARC)
We are thrilled to have teamed up with Arena Racing Company (ARC) in a landmark new partnership that sees Britain’s largest racing group support both the National Horseracing Museum and the Retraining of Racehorses charity based in the Rothschild Yard.
ARC will specifically support the work undertaken within the Rothschild Yard at Palace House, the historic home of NHRM. Working with Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), NHRM utilise the facilities at the Rothschild Yard to educate the public on the work that goes into retraining thoroughbred athletes after their racing careers are over.
In recent years, the Rothschild Yard has welcomed stars including Big Buck’s, as well as hosting four refurbished stables that showcase the work of RoR and explain what happens to racehorses after their racing careers are over. NHRM holds daily displays and talks for visitors, allowing them to get up close to retired racehorses and learn more about aftercare and their post racing careers.
Behind the Scenes Tours
Find out how to retrain a racehorse
Our daily ‘Behind the Scenes Tour’ with the yard team take place at 1.30pm Tuesday – Sunday.
Tours start in the stunning Rothschild Yard where you’ll meet our ex-racehorses; you may even be lucky enough to see a horse in action, whether it’s on our walker or in the Peter O’Sullevan Arena. We also have a working forge – and if you’re lucky, you’ll see one of our farriers practicing their ancient and fascinating craft. These Behind the Scenes tours usually take 30 minutes and are held outdoors so please ensure you dress appropriately for the weather.
Please meet in the Rothschild Yard at the allotted time if you wish to watch a demonstration.
RoR Galleries
Learn about the Retraining of Racehorses in four galleries
In the Rothschild Yard, through four refurbished stables you will discover what happens to racehorses after their racing careers are over. Learn about the work of Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), British horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing. Find out why horses leave racing and how RoR helps them enjoy a second career.
Find out more about ROR
Life after racing
Interested in retraining your horse?
Would you like your ex-racehorse to come to the National Horseracing Museum for a period of retraining? At the showcase yard for the museum, we have a unique set up in Newmarket. We are here to educate and inform our visitors of ‘life after racing’ and show them horses of different levels working in The Peter O’Sullevan Arena, but also have the capacity to take in horses outside of the Retraining of Racehorses charity work. We can offer:
- An overnight stay or a weekend to join in the on-site clinics or have your horse worked
- A working holiday while you are sunning yourself!
- A few weeks ‘Boot Camp’ for schooling or fittening work
- Up to 4 months of retraining for your recently retired racehorse, ready for you to continue riding or in preparation for rehoming
For more information and pricing, please contact our yard staff by clicking on the button below.
Email to Enquire
The Peter O’Sullevan Arena
For the Welfare of the Horse
The Peter O’Sullevan Arena is a 70 x 35m British Showjumping Approved Venue arena in the grounds of the National Horseracing Museum. The surface is Andrews Bowen GB mix, a fully wax coated surface most suitable to jumping and dressage disciplines but can easily be prepared for all arena disciplines.
The Peter O’Sullevan Arena can be hired out for lessons, clinics or for general hire throughout the year at a cost of £20 per hour for flat or £30 per hour with jumps.
Email to Enquire
