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.

Newmarket Challenge Whip over the Beacon Course 10st each was challenged by Lord Strathmore with Mouravieff, a 4-y-o, in Spring 1861 but the challenge was not accepted, while in October 1861 Mr Merry challenged with Thormanby, which was not accepted, so he regained the Whip.

Wednesday 1st May 1861
Subscription Purse of 50 Guineas, over the Beacon Course, for horses the property of Jockey Club Members, for 4-y-o and upwards
PARMESAN owned by Mr H Savile and ridden by A Edwards walked over

JOCKEY CLUB NEWMARKET CHALLENGE CUP was challenged by both Lord Strathmore with Mouravieff, and Mr G W Fitzwilliam with Wallace, but Lord Clifden declined the challenges in 1861. The pair could have held a Match but decided to return the cup to Lord Clifden.