The Prince of Wales is patron to Fakenham Racecourse and the Queen Mother visited the course in 2000, her 100th year. As the popularity of steeplechasing declined, hurdle racing was introduced in 1926 and continues today. After an enforced break during the war when Newmarket’s July course was the only operational course in Britain, racing resumed in 1947 at Fakenham, which is one of only two courses where owners are not required to pay a fee to enter their horse in a race.