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. In 1764 the Jockey Club introduced the Newmarket Challenge Whip restricted to Jockey Club Members, a race run over the Beacon Course with each horse carrying 10 stone. The prize was a Whip, which contains hairs from the tail of the famous racehorse Eclipse, given to the Jockey Club by King Charles II. In 1768 the inaugural running of the Jockey Club Newmarket Challenge Cup , designed by Abraham Portal, took place over the Beacon Course and was restricted to Jockey Club Members. The 4 races provide vital evidence confirming membership of the Jockey Club.

Thursday 2nd October 1777
Newmarket Challenge Whip over the Beacon Course 10st each
SHARK, owned by Mr C Pigot, received 100 guineas as a compromise from Lord Grosvenor's MAMBRINO, both having subscribed 200 guineas for the race over the Beacon Course. As a consequence of the compromise Lord Grosvenor kept the Whip until the next challenge.

Wednesday 23rd April 1777
Subscription Purse of 100 Guineas over 4 miles of the Round Course for 4-year-olds the property of Jockey Club Members, each horse to carry 8st
1. MOLECATCHER (6/1), bay colt owned by Sir Charles Sedley
2. WHIRLWIND (5/2), brown colt owned by Sir Charles Bunbury
3. HOUGHTON (5/1), bay colt owned by Sir John Moore
4. ATTACK (7/4 fav), bay colt owned by Sir C Davers
5. GIMCRACK colt owned by Sir Lawrence Dundas
6. MATCH'EM colt owned by Mr Stapleton
7. GOLDFINDER colt owned by Lord Grosvenor
8. SIBYL, bay filly owned by Lord Ossory
9. HOYDEN, bay filly owned by Duke of Grafton
10. PANTOMIME, bay colt owned by Mr Walker
11. SYPHON, grey colt owned by Mr Douglas
12. PASSENGER, grey colt owned by Lord Clermont

Thursday 24th April 1777
Second Subscription Purse of 100 Guineas, over the Beacon Course, for horses the property of Jockey Club Members, each horse to carry 8st 7lbs
1. LEVIATHAN (5/2), black horse owned by Lord Abingdon
2. SLIM (5/1), bay horse owned by Lord March
3. COUNT (4/1), bay horse owned by Mr Jennings
4. SALOPIAN, bay horse owned by Mr Pigot
5. LABYRINTH (5/1), bay horse owned by Duke of Grafton
6. SWEETWILLIAM (4/7 fav), chestnut horse owned by Lord Grosvenor
7. WAFER, bay horse owned by Mr Vernon
8. SANDBECK, brown horse owned by Lord Rockingham
9. COLLEAGUE, bay horse owned by Mr Walker

Tuesday 30th September 1777
JOCKEY CLUB NEWMARKET CHALLENGE CUP
A Sweepstake of 200 Guineas each, Play or Pay, run over the Beacon Course with weights as prescribed at the Jockey Club Meeting on 5th October 1768
1. DORIMANT, chestnut horse owned by Lord Ossory walked over