HISTORY OF HORSE-RACING. 29 



but in 1744 the trading inhabitants of Newmarket raised two 

 plates of 50 gs. each, one for five-year-olds, 9 St., and the other 

 free for any horse, (Sec, 9 st, four-mile heats ; there was also 

 50 gs. raised by the contributions of persons of property for 

 four-year-olds, 8 st. 7 lbs. each — four miles. 



At this period there were only two meetings at Newmarket, 

 viz. the first in April, and the other in October; but in 1753 

 there was a second spring meeting added, in which two Jockey 

 Club plates and several matches were run for. 



In 1759 the weights and scales plate was begun ; in 1762 

 a second October meeting commenced of sweepstakes and 

 matches; in 1765 the July meeting ; in 1770 the Houghton 

 meeting ; and in 1771 the Craven meeting, with a subscription 

 of 5 gs. each, 21 subs. — called the Craven Stakes, for all ages, 

 from the ditch to the turn of the lands, which stakes were won 

 by Mr. Vernon's Pantaloon, beating thirteen others. 



In 1727 there were only eleven Royal plates run for in 

 England — viz. one at Newmarket in April for six-year-old 

 horses, &c., 12 st. heats, the Round Course (first called the 

 King's Plate Course) ; one for five-year-old mares, 10 st., one 

 heat over the Round Course ; one in October for six-year-old 

 horses, 12 st. heats, the Round Course; one at York (which 

 commenced in 171 1) for six-year-old horses, 12 st., four-mile 

 heats ; one at Black Hambleton, Yorkshire (this was a very 

 ancient plate, but no regular account of it was kept until the 

 year 17 15), for five-year-old mares, 10 St., four miles, to be 

 run for on the Saturday preceding the York August meetings, 

 one at each of the following places — viz. Nottingham, Lin- 

 coln, Guildford, Winchester, and Lewes, for six-year-old horses, 

 10 St., two-mile heats ; but in 1744 they were altered to two- 

 mile-and-a-quarter heats, and in 1750, for four-year-olds, 9 St., 

 two-mile-and-a- quarter heats. 



In 1723 His Majesty gave a plate to Salisbury for six- 

 year-old horses, 12 st., four-mile heats ; in 1748 one to Lich- 

 field for five-year-old horses, 10 st., two-mile heats ; in 1753 

 one to Newcastle for five-year-old horses, to St., three-mile 



