A pivotal moment in horse racing history, and in the history of Newmarket, occurred in 1665 when, on 16th October 1665, King Charles II issued an Article for a race, the Newmarket Town Plate, for horses carrying 12 stone over the Newmarket Round Course on the second Thursday in October each year. Although there was no Jockey Club at this stage, this is one of the first sets of rules governing a race in Newmarket. It is clear that, at this point in time, there is a Clerk of the Course, a Clerk of the Race, a Treasurer, many Judges, one of whom is responsible for checking the weights of riders.
Thursday 9th October 1926 (261st running)
Click the link for a clip of the 261st running of the Town Plate in 1926
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9qHCf8nS-0
Thursday 12th October 1927 (262nd running)
Click the link for a clip of the 262nd running of the Town Plate in 1927
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/262nd-race-for-the-town/query/newmarket+town+plate
Thursday 11th October 1928 (263rd running)
Click the link for a clip of the 263rd running of the Town Plate in 1928
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QGT3D65eUI
Thursday 10th October 1929 (264th running)
Click the link for a clip of the 264th running of the Town Plate in 1929
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/264th-race-for-town-plate
Thursday 8th October 1931 (266th running)
Thursday 13th October 1932 (267th running)
Click the link for a clip of the 267th running of the Town Plate in 1932
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/267th-race-for-the-town-plate/query/newmarket+town+plate
Thursday 11th October 1933 (268th running)
Click the link for a clip of the 268th running of the Town Plate in 1933
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JQMeyHs6Ss
Thursday 11th October 1934 (269th running)
Click the link for a clip of the 269th running of the Town Plate in 1934
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ6t1dMa6fY
Thursday 11th October 1938 (273rd running)
Click the link for a clip of the 273rd running of the Town Plate in 1938
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/new-market-town-plate-aka-newmarket-town-plate/query/newmarket+town+plate
Thursday 11th October 1939 (274th running)
Click the link for a clip of the 274th running of the Town Plate in 1939
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaiU23BDeGM
Race was not run for 5 years due to the Second World War.
Lady Mary Rose Fitzroy was a descendant of King Charles II, founder of the Newmarket Town Plate, as she was the granddaughter of the 8th Duke of Grafton, and sister of the 9th Duke who was killed while competing in the Limerick International Grand Prix in 1936. The 1st Duke of Grafton was a son of King Charles II.
