The Jockey Club Plate, not to be confused with the Newmarket Town Plate which was first run on the Round Course in 1666, was restricted to Jockey Club Members and run at Newmarket annually. The earliest record of a Jockey Club Plate was in 1753 when two were staged two days apart. The first, for 4-year-olds, was run on the Round Course on Tuesday 15th May 1753 and won by Beau Clincher owned by Lord Gower, while 2 days later a second subscription Plate for 100 Guineas was contested on Thursday 17th May 1753 and was won by Crab owned by Captain Vernon. The races provide vital evidence confirming membership of the Jockey Club.

Wednesday 8th May 1754
Subscription Purse of 100 Guineas over the Round Course for 4-year-olds the property of Jockey Club Members, each horse to carry 8st
1. MARSKE, brown colt owned by HRH the Duke of Cumberland
2. Grey colt owned by Mr Panton
3. Dun colt owned by Mr William Croft
4. Dun colt owned by Lord Gower
5. Grey colt owned by Captain Vernon

Thursday 9th May 1754
Second Subscription Purse of 100 Guineas for horses the property of Jockey Club Members, each horse to carry 8st 7lbs
1. ANTELOPE, brown horse owned by the Marquess of Hartington
2. DANBY CADE, bay horse owned by Captain Vernon
3. CRAB, grey horse owned by HRH the Duke of Cumberland
4. SPORTSMAN, bay horse owned by Lord Strange