Covered Ride

The building is a covered ride, constructed around 1835 for Brownlow Cecil, second Marquess of Exeter, and later associated with Baron Meyer de Rothschild. It is located in Newmarket, adjacent to Exeter House Stables and the Exeter Road. A late 20th-century swimming pool for racehorses, situated within the central open area, is not of special architectural interest.

The structure is built primarily of flint cobbles and red brick in Flemish bond, with a low-pitched slate roof. The west side and southwest quadrant of the outer wall are flint, while the east side was rebuilt in brick, likely in the 20th century. The outer wall has no openings besides a segmental-arched entrance at the southern end, flanked by brick pilasters and a cornice. Inside, the ride features an open arcade supported by a low, rendered brick wall, chamfered timber posts with cornices, and segmental wooden arches. Stable ranges, with slate roofs and ventilators, are located across the southern end of the open area. The stables have doors with over-lights.

The interior of the ride features tie-beam and principal rafter roof trusses, while the stables predominantly contain open stalls.

This was the first covered ride constructed in Newmarket. Lord Exeter's horses were trained at the adjacent Exeter House Stables from 1820 to 1855. Lord Exeter, a prominent figure in the Jockey Club, bred and owned many successful racehorses. The covered ride provided his horses with an important fitness advantage, enabling exercise at a canter even during harsh winters. From 1857 onwards, Baron Meyer de Rothschild's horses were trained here until he acquired Palace House Stables. The covered ride and stables were reunited with Exeter House Stables in 2002.