The National Horseracing Museum occupies part of the buildings that were known as the Subscription Rooms which were a focal point of Newmarket and consequently are steeped in history.
In the middle of the nineteenth century, the betting men would meet at the Subscription Rooms after racing. Beneath the lovely lantern window, still in the ceiling of Gallery 1, and amidst columns and pilaster reminiscent of the Regency period, heavy gamblers like George Payne, Sir Joseph Hawley and the reckless Marquess of Hastings wagered on forthcoming events. Outside the doors of the Rooms a large crowd would wait eager to learn from the emerging members which horses were being backed.