Broomfield School inspires National Horseracing Museum to secure Northallerton trophy

Thanks to the children of Broomfield School in Northallerton, supporters of the museum bought the Stewards Silver Cup, which had been presented at the Northallerton course in the 1830s and was sold at auction for £6,470.

Headteacher Sarah Morrison explained the school decided to change its uniform and logo this year, and as it was built on the site of the old Northallerton Racecourse, they wanted to base the new badge around the area’s heritage. The silhouette of a horse’s head is now incorporated into the school logo, while the uniform has changed from red, to bottle green.

The children researched the track's history, and discovered that their running track is exactly where the race track used to be when horseracing took place from 1818 to 1880. Mrs Morrison contacted the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket to ask if it had anything which would help the children with research.

Dr Alexandra Fletcher, packard curator, sent information on the Northallerton races including the Broomfield Stakes, and the school asked about trophies from the racecourse.

By coincidence days later the Stewards Silver Cup from 1835 came up for sale at auctioneers Cheffins in Cambridge. Dr Fletcher advised the school, and the children asked Mrs Morrison if they would be able to buy the magnificent trophy and put it on display with their own sporting achievements.

Mrs Morrison said: "We watched the auction with bated breath wondering what the fate of the trophy would be. Happily, NHRM was able to purchase the cup for the nation thanks to the generosity of the Dalton White family, who funded this important acquisition in memory of Peter and Gillian Dalton White. The family were originally from Yorkshire and owned the racehorse Melbourne.

The Cup has pride of place at the NHRM

"NHRM has now invited the children who form the Broomfield School Council to visit the museum in July for a tour and meet the trophy. The children were delighted to learn that this beautiful cup which is linked to the school’s heritage would now be displayed with pride in the museum in Newmarket.

"We are so pleased that our children’s enthusiasm for learning has prompted the National Horseracing Museum to acquire this trophy."

Dr Fletcher said: "This is a fabulous addition to our collection, demonstrating the racing heritage of Northallerton. We are very grateful to the Dalton White family for supporting this purchase and to Broomfield School for their huge interest in their school’s historic site."