54 



one heat and different weights are appointed." 

 In spite of this order races for the plates were 

 on occasion still run in two or three heats, 

 apparently by permission of the Master of 

 the Horse. We are not informed what 

 weight the new scale required, but the pages 

 of the Calendar show they were reduced ; 

 authoritative information on the point appears 

 with the Articles at a later date. In 1807 tne 

 number of Royal Plates had been increased 

 to 23 in Great Britain. 



On the 4th May, 1780, the first Derby was 

 run ; the value of the stake was 50 guineas, 

 and the race, open to three-year-old colts at 

 8 stone, and fillies at 7 stone 1 1 Ibs., distance 

 one mile, was won by Diomed. In 1801, 

 1803, 1807, an d 1862, the weights for the 

 Derby were altered, always increasing by a 

 few pounds, till they reached their present 

 level. By 1793, the Derby had grown into 

 great popularity. The establishment of the 

 St. Leger, in 1776, and the Oaks in 1779, 

 are events which also aid to make King 

 George III.'s reign memorable. Races for 

 Arab produce occur on the Newmarket 

 " cards " about the time our classic races were 

 founded ; sweepstakes of 100 guineas being 

 run for in 1775, J 776, and 1/77. Races for 

 Arabs, however, have never been continued 

 for many years in succession. 



