I heard a rumour! Bananarama meet Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere

The stars of Bananarama met new arrivals Lord Windermere and Jack The Giant at the National Stud ahead of their Newmarket Nights performance this summer.

The record-breaking duo were treated to a VIP tour of the only commercial stud farm open to the public in Britain.

Earlier this month, the stud's first ever patron, the Duchess of Cornwall, paid a royal visit to the National Stud.

Visitors are now able to see Lord Windermere - the 2014 Gold Cup winner whose career earnings totalled almost £500,000 - and Jack The Giant, a 17-year-old son of Giant's Causeway who won eight races for multiple champion trainer Nicky Henderson including the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase.

Jack The Giant also won Riding Horse of the Year at the NEC's Horse of the Year show, during his successful career as a retrained racehorse.

Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward, better-known as Bananarama, will be entertaining the crowds at Newmarket's July racecourse on August 9 with their impressive repertoire of 32 top 40 UK hits, including I Heard A Rumour and Cruel Summer.

They will also be performing new material from their 11th studio album In Stereo, their first release in ten years.

Megan Pollexfen, manager of Discover Newmarket, commented: "We're thrilled that Bananarama had the chance to meet our newest arrivals at the National Stud. It was fantastic to show Sara and Keren our glorious town and everything it has to offer, and we look forward to welcoming members of the public on the National Stud tour to meet these two National Hunt heroes."

Visitors to the National Stud learn about the history of the stud and the breeding.

Tours start at 11am from Wednesday to Friday and at 11am and 1pm on weekends and bank holidays. Tickets are available from £11 for adults with £30 family tickets available during weekends and half term, while children under five go free.

Bananarama's Sara Dallin meets Jack the Giant at the National StudCredit: Discover Newmarket

Tim Lane, stud director at the National Stud, added: "We're thrilled to have Jack The Giant and Lord Windermere join us at the National Stud. Jack The Giant came to us through Sophie Henderson and Di Haine. He was a great racehorse and excelled in the Retraining of Racehorses divisions.

"Lord Windermere, of course, is a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and a real character. Jim Culloty was delighted to hear Lord Windermere would be coming here. I'm sure they will both prove very popular with the tours."

Discover Newmarket's tours give visitors the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the sports training and breeding operations and to meet the organisations, trainers and staff behind champion racehorses.

As well as the National Stud, Discover Newmarket also offers tours of the Jockey Club Rooms and Palace House.

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