Newmarket is a
market town in the
English county of
Suffolk, approximately 65 miles (105 kilometres) north of
London. It is generally considered the birthplace and global centre of
thoroughbred horse racing and a potential
World Heritage Site. It is a major local
business cluster, with annual investment rivalling that of the
Cambridge Science Park, the other major cluster in the region. It is the largest racehorse training centre in
Britain, the largest racehorse breeding centre in the country, home to most major British horseracing institutions, and a key global centre for horse health. Two
Classic races, and an additional three
British Champions Series races are held at Newmarket every year. The town has been a centre for British royalty since
James I, and was also a home to
Charles I,
Charles II and many monarchs since. The current
monarch,
Queen Elizabeth, regularly visits the town to see her horses in training.