BRITISH TURF. 353 



to give annually until her demise in 1714. George I. 

 gave a cup of the same value until 1720, since 

 which period the Royal Plates have been paid in 

 specie. 



At York Au^gust races, 1730, in consequence of 

 heavy rains, the river Ouse was so much swelled 

 as to overflow a great part of the race course ; which 

 made it necessary to postpone the racing for that 

 day's Royal Plate, until the Saturday following, 

 after which it was agreed that for the future the 

 races should be run for over Knavesmire. 



Knavesmire is situated rather more than a mile 

 south of York, on the road to Tadcaster, on a large 

 plain, which is a dead flat, and in many parts moist ; 

 but great pains have been taken by building arches, 

 &c. in draining it, and it is now one of the finest 

 race courses in the kingdom. 



The first race ran over Knavesmire, was for the 

 King's guineas ia 1731, and although the course 

 laid down by Mr. Telford, (an alderman of the city 

 of York,) gave much satisfaction on that occasion, 

 it was afterwards found that a round course would 

 be preferable ; the turn in running round, what 

 is called the basin, being found exceedingly awk- 

 ward, and even dangerous. 



In 1753 a subscription was opened by the nobili- 

 ty and gentry of York, under the patronage of the 

 Marquis of Rockingham, for erecting a grand stand. 

 A considerable sum having been subscribed, a 

 lease for 99 years was granted by the corporation 



VOL. I. A A 



