The 2024 season for Guided Tours of the National Stud kicks off in Newmarket, the home of British horseracing, on Friday 16 February, with doors opening as covering begins.  While Stradivarius remains a huge attraction for visitors to the National Stud, there is also a new stallion in residence, the regally-bred 6-year-old, Mutasaabeq, who will be sharing the limelight with a host of other retired racing legends. Already impressing breeders, the new arrival was a consistent miler over the course of his racing career and won three Group 2's over this specialist distance, before joining the impressive stallion roster at the National Stud.

The 90-minute National Stud Tours bookable through Discover Newmarket explore the 500-acre stud farm on foot and by coach. Guided by experts from the world of horseracing, who are happy to share their personal stories, visitors meet the resident stallions and other-racehorse legends such as Lord Windermere and The Tin Man. Other highlights including seeing the mares with their foals, and learning what goes into creating the champion racehorses of the future. Tours run from mid-February to October every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

In addition, private and group tours can be arranged on a date and time to suit for just a one-off additional fee of £50 and the usual price per person. As the set dates for public tours can get booked up well in advance, visitors are urged to make their reservations through Discover Newmarket as soon as possible (Adults £16.50, Child £5).

One of the most popular and enduring horses of the modern era that visitors are likely to meet on the National Stud tour is Stradivarius, who won 20 races over seven seasons. His roll of honour is headed by three Gold Cups and four Goodwood Cups. Having been retired from racing and put to stud in September 2022, Stradivarius' hugely anticipated first foals will arrive this spring. He covered a full book in 2023 and is expected to have 100 foals on the ground in 2024 that are sure to be popular at the foal sales next year and beyond.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are drawn to Newmarket annually which, to this day, remains the largest racehorse training centre in Britain and the undisputed 'Headquarters' of flat racing. It is also home to the fascinating National Horseracing Museum which, combine well with a tour of the National Stud makes for a highly entertaining and informative day out.

The National Stud is included within several other behind-the-scenes, equine tours that teach visitors about the heritage of this internationally renowned town. Keen racegoers, horse lovers and pony-mad children alike will all relish the opportunity to explore these iconic racing venues:

• The Newmarket Experience is a half-day tour, ideal for those who want to find out more about what it takes to train racehorses. Spend a morning watching some of Newmarket's 3,000 equine residents go about their morning exercise on the famed gallops and then go behind the scenes at a racing yard.  Discover a little of Newmarket's history and see the stallions, mare, and foals at the National Stud, as well as retired National Hunt legend, Lord Windermere.  Morning coffee and cake is included, and tours are available on alternate Fridays for £70 per person. Add £50 and make it private.

• The Ultimate Newmarket Experience – This full day allows visitors to really get behind the scenes at the home of horseracing. Spend time on the famous Newmarket training grounds watching horses out on the gallops. Learn about the history of Warren Hill and the links to the Royal family. Visit a racing yard, hearing about the daily routines and meeting some of the people who make it all happen. Visit the National Stud farm and the impressive National Horseracing Museum where lunch is taken, and spend the afternoon exploring this 5-acre site. Witness demonstrations at the Retraining of Racehorses yard, examine a unique collection of British Sporting Art and learn more of the history of horseracing. Tours run on selected Saturdays, and cost £100pp.  Add £50 and make it private.

For more information and tickets for National Stud Tours visit Discover Newmarket at www.discovernewmarket.co.uk or call 01638 501122. Newmarket is an Accessible Destination.  Gift vouchers for tours are available.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Pictured on his own is the new stallion in residence, Mutasaabeq. Please credit images to Discover Newmarket.

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