Every person that putteth in a horse, mare, or gelding, for the said
plate, is to shew such horse, mare, or gelding, with the marks, name,
and name of the OWNER, to be entered at the King's stables in Newmarket
the day before they run, and shall then produce a certificate under the
hand of the breeder, specifying his exact age the grass before.
Every horse, mare, or gelding, that runneth, is to start between the
hours of one and four in the afternoon; and to be allowed half an hour
between each heat to rub.
Every horse, mare, or gelding, that runneth on the wrong side the POSTS
or FLAGS, or is distanced in any of the HEATS, shall have no share of
the said PLATE, nor be suffered to start again.
The horse, mare, or gelding, that winneth any two heats, winneth the
PLATE; but if three several horses, mares, or geldings, win EACH of them
a HEAT, then those three, and only they, to run a fourth; and the horse,
mare, or gelding, that winneth the fourth heat, shall have the plate.
And each horse, mare, or gelding's place, as he or they come in by the
ending-post each heat, as first, second, or third, &c. shall be
determined by such judges as shall be appointed for that purpose by the
MASTER of the HORSE. And in case any horse, mare, or gelding, shall be
then, or after prove to be, _above_ the age CERTIFIED the grass before,
the owner or owners of such horse, mare, or gelding, shall be rendered
incapable of ever running for any of the King's Plates hereafter.
As many of the RIDERS as shall _cross_, _jostle_, or _strike_, or use
any other foul play, as shall be judged by such person or persons as
shall be appointed by the MASTER of the HORSE, such rider shall be made
incapable of ever riding any horse, mare, or gelding, for any of his
MAJESTY'S PLATES hereafter; and such OWNERS shall have no benefit of
_that_ plate; but such owners may be permitted to run any horse, mare,
or gelding, for any other of his Majesty's free Plates in future.
Every RIDER shall, immediately after each heat is run, be obliged to
come to the ENDING-POST with his horse, mare, or gelding, then and there
to alight, and not before, and there to WEIGH to the satisfaction of the
judges appointed for that purpose.
And in case of neglect or refusal thereof, such WINNERS and RIDERS shall
be immediately declared _incapable_ of RUNNING or RIDING any more for
this or any of his MAJESTY'S PLATES in future.
And should any difference arise relating to their ages, or in their
running, or to these his MAJESTY'S ORDERS, the same to be determined by
such person, or persons, as shall be appointed by the MASTER of the
HORSE. And these Articles are to continue in force, unless altered by
COMMAND of his MAJESTY.
For the better and more certain prevention of any fraud, or
misapplication, the winner of a KING'S PLATE is to receive from the
CLERK of the COURSE, a certificate signed by the STEWARD of the RACE
where such plate is won, countersigned by himself also, which being
presented to the LORD LIEUTENANT of the COUNTY, it obtains his signature
likewise: when thus sanctioned, it becomes payable at sight to BEARER
(if properly endorsed by the winner) at the office of the CLERK of his
MAJESTY'S STABLES, in the KING'S MEWS, LONDON. The Lord Lieutenant of a
county being out of the kingdom, the signature of any person regularly
deputed by him is sufficient. The certificate of winning the PLATE at
ASCOT requires only the signature of the MASTER of his MAJESTY'S STAG
HOUNDS, instead of the Lord Lieutenant of the County.
KNEE OF A HORSE—is the centrical joint of the leg, where the fore-thigh
is united to the shank-bone. Its formation is of such strength, that a
LAMENESS, by _twist_, _distortion_, or any other injury, is hardly ever
sustained in this part, but by the accident of falling; which frequently
happens, and, if attended with a _blemish_, very much reduces the
previous value of the horse. Prominencies in a pavement, or rolling
stones upon a road, are sometimes the occasion of such misfortunes, even
to those who are in general exceedingly sure-footed, and of the most
valuable description. Custom has, however, introduced, of late years,
such an unprecedented degree of precaution in an examination of the
KNEES, that the slightest touch cannot be expected to pass unnoticed
amidst so much scrutinizing inspection; and if once appearances are
sufficient to justify _a doubt_, the object immediately sinks in
estimation, however superior he may be in other respects and
qualifications. This being so great a disadvantage when a horse is to be
_sold_, it evidently points out the absolute necessity of a minute
examination before he is _bought_, as a want of it may produce
considerable loss, and serious reflection. Loss of hair upon the knees,
when not too severely affected, may sometimes be restored by a daily
application of very strong camphorated liniment.