An early painting of a horse racing loving monarch has been unveiled at museum in west Suffolk.

The painting of King Charles II, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, is now on display at the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket.

The work was being auctioned off in Dublin and was bought by the friends of the museum.

The painting was first seen at an auction in DublinThe painting was first seen at an auction in Dublin (Image: National Horseracing Museum) The painting is the first of its kind to be displayed and was bought to show Newmarket and its relation to royalty.

From 1605, the royal court was moved to Newmarket each year by James I, and remained that way until the English civil war and the execution of Charles I in 1649.

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Charles II returned to the throne after nine years in exile and six years later moved the court back to Newmarket.

The painting of the KingThe painting of the King (Image: National Horseracing Museum) The King regularly visited Newmarket and even raced, winning in 1671 and 1675.

He also founded the Round Course, part of which is still used today as the July Course.

Charles II stayed in Newmarket for the last time in 1684, the year before his death.

The painting, which was created by the German-born British artist  Sir Godfrey Kneller,  is on display in the King's bedroom, part of the surviving Royal Palace of Newmarket.