DINNER AT THE JOCKEY CLUB ROOMS & VISIT TO THE NATIONAL HERITAGE CENTRE FOR HORSERACING & SPORTING ART

Thurloe members came together for a delicious and entertaining annual dinner at the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket last Friday evening. Twenty six diners were treated to Asparagus with Norfolk Crab for starters, Roasted Breast of Norfolk Black Leg Chicken and Citrus Creme Brule with a Gin & Tonic sorbet before our trainer Michael Bell sang for his supper and amused everyone. He also updated us on the wellbeing of our attractive Zoffany filly, Any Smile, whom we woke up early to see on Warren Hill the next day.

A convoy of cars left the Jockey Club at 9.20am and assembled on Warren Hill under cloudless skies. It is a very rare occurrence for Thurloe members to experience such beautiful, warm weather in May and Any Smile looked magnificent as she cantered past her owners. Michael took everybody back to his yard to ‘talk’ to Any Smile afterwards where we congratulated Hayley Turner, on her thrilling victory in the Victoria Cup the week before. 

Some of our Thurloe members who come to our dinner in the Jockey Club Rooms took the opportunity to visit Newmarket’s wonderful new National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art.  We were treated to a bespoke and fascinating tour by Chris Garibaldi, the Director.  We saw some of the best of sporting art and artefacts in both the Palace House Gallery and National Horseracing Museum as well as learning through their use of interactive technologies  about the history of horseracing.   Unfortunately we didn’t have time to go to the Rothschild Yard or Sir Peter O’Sullevan Arena for the retraining of racehorses but we will be arranging another visit soon.  Our Group thought the Centre was very impressive and are eager to come back;  it is a must for anyone who is in or near Newmarket – you can find full details of the Centre on their website;  www.palacehousenewmarket.co.uk