Noblemen's & Gentlemen's Contribution Purses run during reign of George I

Although the idea of a Contribution race was not new, indeed a Contribution Plate was in operation as early as 1688 which required subscribers to commit to an annual programme of races run in heats, this race differed from that previous model. The new race, in its early years called the 'Noblemen and Gentlemen's Contribution Purse', was a single 4 mile race for horses under six years of age, each carrying 9st, with subscribers committed to a five year programme. The inaugural running of this new Purse took place in October 1717 and lasted until 1721, with a second phase between 1722 and 1726, later phases became known as the October Stakes. The race, restricted to subscribers, was similar to the Jockey Club Plates of a generation later which were restricted to Jockey Club Members. Although the subscribers had not, at this stage, formed a Jockey Club in name, many of them were very likely founder members of the Jockey Club which certainly existed by 1729. Equally, however, just subscribing to the race did not guarantee entry to the future Club, as some of the subscribers were ladies, including Dorothy Manners, wife of the 3rd Earl of Gainsborough, who later became Dorothy Noel.  
First 5-year Contribution Purse began in October 1717
Wednesday 1st October 1718

Noblemen & Gentlemen's Contribution-Money Purse for 200 guineas
Five-year-olds carrying 9st over 4 miles
1. BETHEL owned by Duke of Wharton
2. POST BOY owned by Duke of Somerset
Friday 9th October 1719

Noblemen & Gentlemen's Contribution-Money Purse for 200 guineas
Five-year-olds carrying 9st over 4 miles
1. DESDEMONA owned by Duke of Wharton
2. EBONY owned by Duke of Rutland
3. TIGER owned by Duke of Devonshire
4. BUSTARD owned by Lord Godolphin
5. STRAWBERRY mare owned by Sir Robert Fagg
6. UNNAMED grey gelding owned by Duke of Somerset
7. CLOUDY owned by Lord Bridgewater
7 ran
Friday 14th October 1720

Noblemen & Gentlemen's Contribution-Money Purse for 200 guineas
Five-year-olds carrying 9st over 4 miles
1. BOBSEY owned by Lord Godolphin
2. BASTO filly owned by Duke of Rutland
3. BASTO filly owned by Duke of Devonshire
4. HELL-FIRE owned by Lord Drogheda
9 ran
Friday 6th October 1721

Noblemen & Gentlemen's Contribution-Money Purse for 200 guineas
Five-year-olds carrying 9st over 4 miles
1. UNNAMED grey mare owned by Duke of Devonshire
7 ran
Second 5-year Contribution Purse began on Friday 12th October 1722

Noblemen & Gentlemen's Contribution-Money Purse for 200 guineas
Five-year-olds carrying 9st over 4 miles
1. UNNAMED chestnut mare owned by Lord Drogheda
2. BAY WILKINSON owned by Lord Tankerville
3. UNNAMED bay mare owned by Mr Thomas Panton
4. UNNAMED bay mare owned by Duke of Somerset
5. BALL owned by Lord Hillsborough
9 ran
Friday 11th October 1723

Noblemen & Gentlemen's Contribution-Money Purse for 200 guineas
Five-year-olds carrying 9st over 4 miles
1. UNNAMED bay mare owned by Lord Gower
2. TICKLE-ME-QUICKLY owned by Sir Robert Fagg
3. UNNAMED grey mare owned by Duke of Bolton
4. PARTNER owned by Mr Cotton
5. YOUNG TRUE BLUE owned by Mr Honeywood
9 ran
Friday 9th October 1724

Noblemen & Gentlemen's Contribution-Money Purse for 200 guineas
Five-year-olds carrying 9st over 4 miles
1. WINDHAM owned by Duke of Somerset
2. SLOVEN owned by Duke of Bolton
3. LOOK ABOUT YOU owned by Mr Batters
4. MISS HEN owned by Mr Thomas Panton
5. BONNY BAY owned by Duke of Rutland
6. SMALLHOPES owned by Lord Halifax
7. SHAG owned by Sir R Grosvenor
9 ran
Friday 15th October 1725

Noblemen & Gentlemen's Contribution-Money Purse for 300 guineas
Five-year-olds carrying 9st over 4 miles
1. BALD JACK owned by Sir Michael Newton
2. CLOE owned by Lady Gainsborough
3. SPARKLER owned by Lord Gainsborough
4. MERMAID owned by Duke of Devonshire
5. CHARMING FANNY owned by Mr Vane
6. HOPEWELL owned by Mr Childers
7. SMILING BILLY owned by Colonel Butler
8. AUDITOR owned by Duke of Bolton
9. HOYDON owned by Mr Honeywood
10. SPOT owned by Duke of Bridgewater
10 ran
Friday 14th October 1726

Noblemen & Gentlemen's Contribution-Money Purse for 300 guineas
Five-year-olds carrying 9st over 4 miles
1. BALD CHARLOTTE owned by Lord Milsintown
2. GREY WYNN owned by Sir R Grosvenor
3. CHORDS owned by Lord Halifax
4. GUY owned by Sir Robert Fagg
5. PLOUGHMAN owned by Lord Onslow
8 ran
Before the 3rd phase of the Contribution Purse could begin George I had died and the race was renamed the October Stakes.