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.

Tuesday 11th May 1756
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. CARTOUCH, chestnut colt owned by Lord Portmore
2. VILLAGER, chestnut colt owned by Duke of Ancaster
3. LUCIFER, chestnut colt owned by Lord Orford
4. Unnamed Bay filly owned by Lord Chedworth
5. FAIRMAID, grey filly owned by Lord March
6. BLACK EYES, bay filly owned by Mr Jennison

Thursday 13th May 1756
Second Subscription Purse of 100 Guineas for horses the property of Jockey Club Members, each horse to carry 8st 7lbs
1. SPECTATOR, bay horse owned by the Duke of Ancaster 6 1 1
2. BRILLIANT, dun horse owned by Mr William Crofts 1 2 4
3. MATCHEM, bay horse owned by Mr Fenwick 3 3 3
4. SWEEPSTAKES, bay horse owned by Lord Gower 4 4 5
5. WHISTLE JACKET, chestnut horse owned by Sir William Middleton 5 5 2
6. CRAB, grey horse owned by HRH The Duke 2 wdr