Essex schoolgirl becomes tour guide at the National Stud in Newmarket

An Essex schoolgirl has hosted part of a tour at the National Stud after winning a Discover Newmarket competition.

Paige Peacock, 14, from Saffron Walden, was named the tourism hub’s official Junior Tour Guide after showing a passion for horseracing in her entry. Judges were also impressed that she volunteers and educates visitors at her school farm.

She received some top tips from Discover Newmarket guide Larry Bowden before relating some interesting facts during a group tour of the stud. Bowden was the only guide in East Anglia to be shortlisted for VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar 2019 Award.

Paige said: “I loved seeing the foals and the retired legends - giving a polo to a Gold Cup winner [in Lord Windermere] was very exciting!

"Everything Larry said was so interesting and everyone on the tour was hooked on every word. He gave me lots of confidence, which meant I was able to say far more than I thought I would. The whole experience showed me there is so much more to racing than being a jockey. I can't wait to be old enough to do the stud diploma and definitely want to make a career for myself in the racing industry.”

14-year-old tour guide Paige Peacock with her group of visitors at the National Stud in Newmarket

Discover Newmarket’s manager, Tracey Harding, added: “Paige’s love of horses came across and she clearly understands that enthusiasm is such an important part of being a tour guide and public speaking in general.

"We look forward to welcoming many more young people to our family-friendly attractions in Newmarket during half-term week later this month to help inspire the next generation of racing fans.”

The National Stud is home to stallions Time Test, whose first northern hemisphere crop of foals contains half-brothers to Logician and Star Catcher, Rajasinghe and Aclaim, as well as ex-jumpers Jack The Giant and Lord Windermere.

Children can visit free with a Blue Peter badge and are given fun quiz sheets to complete as they tour the 500-acre stud farm.

Discover Newmarket's educational tours give visitors the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the sport’s training and breeding operations to meet the organisations, trainers, equine stars and dedicated workforce.

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