Those called king’s-plates are a free gift from his majesty, of 100
guineas each; and, it is believed, were originally granted as a means of
exciting such a degree of emulation, as would probably tend to national
advantage (by an additional influx of company) to such cities and towns
as enjoy the royal favour. Newmarket, as the superior spot of sporting
celebrity, is particularly honoured, having two in the first Spring, and
one in the first October meetings.
King’s-plates are also given at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Guildford,
Winchester, Ipswich, Burford, Chelmsford, Nottingham, Lewes, Edinburgh,
York, Canterbury, Warwick, Lichfield, Richmond (Yorkshire), Lincoln,
Salisbury, Ayr, Carlisle, and Ascot Heath; the whole of which, except
the last, are run for by horses or mares of different ages, carrying
such weights as shall be appointed by the master of the horse, or
whoever he may delegate for that purpose.
The king’s-plate, of 100 guineas, given at Ascot, and always run for on
the first day, (invariably Whit Tuesday fortnight) is only for horses
which have regularly hunted with his majesty’s stag-hounds the preceding
season, and must have been well up with the hounds, at their running up
to, taking, or killing, ten deer, as an indispensable qualification,
without having which they cannot be permitted to start. At the
conclusion of the chase, when the deer is secured, those who intend to
qualify for the plate, apply to the huntsman, and a ticket is delivered
to the rider, bearing the arms of the master of the stag-hounds, and the
seal of the royal hunt; when which ten tickets are obtained the horse
has secured his qualification, may then be withdrawn from the field, and
is not obliged to appear again till the day of entrance at Sunning Hill
Wells, where the tickets must be produced, in confirmation of his being
duly qualified to start. For the accommodation of the sporting world at
large, horses of all ages are permitted to run, carrying the following
weights:—four years’ old, 11st. 2lb.; five years’ old, 11st. 9lb.; six
years’ old, 11st. 12lb.; and aged, 12st. Mares allowed 4lb. The best of
three four-mile heats.—_Vide_ RACING.
The following rules are, by his majesty’s command, to be strictly
observed by the owners and riders of all such horses, mares, or
geldings, as shall run for his majesty’s plates at Newmarket:—