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 11th October 1951 (281st renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Queensland (evens fav) trained by George Todd and ridden by Miss Betty Richards
Providential (5/1) ridden by Miss Valda Rogerson
Ballinalower (10/1) ridden by Miss A Marlow
Graceful Beau owned by Mrs I M Burrows and ridden by Janette Hayley
There were 9 runners, the winning rider is the 14-year-old daughter of jockey Cliff Richards, and niece of Gord Richards, and won by an easy 10 lengths with a distance between second and third
Thursday 9th October 1952 (282nd renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Freddy Fox (4/1 fav) ridden by Miss Betty Richards
Controller (7/1) owned by Cliff Beechener and ridden by Miss A Beechener
Ross Lake (8/1) ridden by Miss Valda Rogerson
Dark Summer ridden by Miss C Haley
Ballinalower ridden by Miss A Marlow
Vilna ridden by Miss Thalia Joel
Eagle Star ridden by Miss M Sturgess
Top Prince ridden by Miss Jacqueline Hylton
Grand Gala II ridden by Mrs D Nicholson
Wise Prince ridden by Miss M Day
Inarary ridden by Mr P Wragg
Game Prince ridden by Miss P Claydon
Alton Towers ridden by Miss O Birch
Ships Log ridden by Mrs H Thomson Jones
Graceful Beau ridden by Miss Janette Haley
Harvey ridden by Miss E Cowell
Snow Dancer ridden by Miss P Thompson
Pi-rah ridden by Mrs P Hodgman
The field of 18, 17 of which were partnered by lady riders, was the biggest field to date in the history of the race, the one male exception was Mr P Wragg aboard his father, Harry Wragg's, horse. Freddy Fox took over the lead half a mile from home, staying on too strongly to defeat Controller and Ross Lake.
Thursday 8th October 1953 (283rd renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Chancellor (evens fav) owned by Mr J Thorpe, trained by George Todd and ridden by Miss Betty Richards
Bindon (10/1) ridden by Mrs I Kennedy
Just Joe (6/1) ridden by Mrs C H Burn
Ross Lake ridden by Miss Valda Rogerson
Miss Betty Richards, daughter of jockey Cliff Richards and niece of Gordon Richards, won her third Town Plate in succession. The only male rider, Australian Bill Evans, son of the trainer, had the indignity of finishing last. The photo below, shown courtesy of the Illustrated London News, is of the 11 riders in the race. They are, from left to right, I Kennedy, J Winbush, C Haley, Janette Hayley, Betty Richards, Mr Bill Evans, P Burn, Ann Waugh, A Beechener, Thalia Joel, Valda Rogerson
Thursday 14th October 1954 (284th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Le Moussaillon II (10/1) trained by R C Sturdy and ridden by Miss Ann Waugh
Chancellor (5/4 fav) ridden by Miss Betty Cooke
Devon Cottage (3/1) trained by Harold Wallington and ridden by Mrs Kathleen Welch
Montezol ridden by Mrs Angela Hill
La Laun ridden by Miss A Beechener
Happy Sally ridden by Miss Mercer
Master Cash ridden by Mrs A Savage
Barrow ridden by Miss M Murphy
Tribal Song ridden by Mrs J McDougal
Dandy ridden by Mrs J Ward
Warrigal ridden by Miss D Davies
Game Prince ridden by Miss P Claydon
Ralootown ridden by Miss N Parry
Gaskin ridden by Miss M Ellis
Iey Calm ridden by Miss E Cowell
Stellus ridden by Mr J G Thorpe
The winner won by 4 lengths with 6 lengths back to the third. Ann Waugh, daughter of Chilton trainer J C Waugh, was winning her second Town Plate having won in 1950. Mrs Kathleen Welch, third on Devon Cottage, is no stranger to Newmarket having been born in Fitzroy House wher she lived with her grandfather William Scott Martin. Lady Cambridge presented whips and sausages to Miss Ann Waugh and trainer Mr R C Sturdy.
Thursday 13th October 1955 (285th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Vulpes (6/1) ridden by Miss Valda Rogerson
Le Moussalon II (4/1) ridden by Miss Jacqueline Hylton
Merry Minstral (7/4 fav) ridden by Miss Sally Hall
Voyageur II (20/1) ridden by Miss A Lines
Luing ridden by Mr J Browning
Exile Prince ridden by Miss M O'Donoghue
Steel Bounty ridden by Miss B W Hicks
Crie Amour ridden by Miss J Wimbush
La Chasse ridden by Miss P Middleton
Gasking ridden by Miss M Ellis
The winning rider, Miss Valda Rogerson, was winning the Plate 30 years after her mother, Mrs John Rogerson, but Miss Eileen Joel at the time, became the first lady rider to win the Town Plate on Hogier. The winner won by 8 lengths with 12 lengths back to the third.
Thursday 10th October 1956 (286th running)
Thursday 10th October 1956 (286th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Le Moussaillon II (5/2 jt fav) ridden by Miss Jacqueline Hylton
Vulpes (5/2 jt fav) ridden by Miss Valda Rogerson
Sea Smoke (7/1) ridden by Miss A Cowell
Also ran: Warrigal, Kelek, Lifebuoy, Loving Cup, Dictaphone, Delaware King, Henry's Road, Pickney Lad, French Knot
The winner won by a distance with 6 lengths back to the third.
Thursday 10th October 1957 (287th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Hippocampe trained by Fred Rimell and ridden by Miss Scarlett Rimell
Vulpes ridden by Mrs T Nicholson
Sea Smoke ridden by Miss Angela Covell
Also ran: Le Moussaillon II, Jumbo, Geste, King Henry's Road, Arbaris, Dark Tor, Minstrell Sid
The winner won by 15 engths with a length back to the third. There was no betting on the race.
Thursday 9th October 1958 (288th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Lintlaw (3/1) owned by Mr A Hyams, trained by W Stephenson and ridden by Miss Marshella Nicholson
Douglas Dhal (100/8) ridden by Miss P Nesfield
Honey Harvest (8/1) ridden by Miss H Dalton-White
Also ran: Bucks Fizz (6/1), Hippocampe (6/4 fav), Bonny Scotland (5/1), Persian Manor (6/1), Ross Lake (10/1), Eranwood Again (10/1), Penny Belle (100/8), Great Caesar (100/8), Manx Cottage (100/8), Khediva (100/6), Crafty Vixen (8/1)
The winner won by 3 lengths with a further 3 lengths back to third. Marshella Stephenson gave her father, W Stephenson, the best birthday present ever by winning the historic Town Plate, in a race notoriously difficult to predict because entries can be accepted up to 15 minutes before the off and, on this occasion, 14 faced the starter.
Thursday 8th October 1959 (289th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Adam's Walk (7/1) trained by Herbert Cottrill and ridden by Miss Julie Murless
Florizel (3/1) ridden by Miss Susan Armstrong
North Light (7/1) ridden by Miss S Morris
Lintlaw (6/4 fav) ridden by Miss Marshella Stephenson
Also Ran: jumbo Geste, Pipe Band, Barton's Sister, Clareville, Danger Light, Coronation Morn, Venetian, Filside II, Khediva Miss, Miss Jingle, Full Marks, Algar, Dorset Knob, Misty Devil, Quernstone, Silver Sovereign, Gumption, Tullaherin Lord, San Marina, Douglas Dhal
The winner, who won by a neck with 5 lengths between second and third, was ridden by 17-year-old Julie Murless, daughter of trainer Noel Murless, while the second was partnered by Susan Armstrong, daughter of Fred (Sam) Armstrong.
Thursday 13th October 1960 (290th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Waterfall (1/2 fav) owned and trained by Harvey Leader and ridden by Miss Gay Leader
Misty Devil (100/8) ridden by Miss F Newton
Sibour (100/8) ridden by Mr R Finch
Delriphore (10/1) ridden by Miss M Britton
Also ran: Corolanty Lass, Freed, Coronation Morn, Green Turban, Carnival Morn
Three months before the race Newmarket Trainer Harvey Leader purchased Waterfall, a big grey, to enable his only daughter Gay to ride in the Town Plate. Those plans were almost scuppered when Waterfall began coughing just a few days before the race, when Harvey desperately searched for a replacement mount, but fortunately Waterfall's coughing cleared up and Gay was able to guide the horse to a comfortable 10 lengths success with 1/2 a length between second and third.
Thursday 12th October 1961 (291st running)
Click the link for a clip of the 291st running of the Town Plate in 1961
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUqiO21lvQs
Thursday 12th October 1961 (291st renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Fulminate (3/1 fav) trained by Sam Armstrong and ridden by Mrs Susan Piggott
Waterfall trained by Harvey Leader and ridden by Miss Gay Leader
Sibour ridden by Mr Reg Finch
Jules Verne trained by Fred Rimell and ridden by Miss Scarlett Rimell
A field of 27 runners, the largest to date in the historic race, faced the starter, and the winner won by 10 lengths with a short head between second and third.
Thursday 11th October 1962 (292nd renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Waterfall (evens fav) trained by Harvey Leader and ridden by Miss Gay Leader
Rasgill (4/1) trained by W Stephenson and ridden by Miss Jennifer Stephenson
Sibour (5/1) ridden by Mr R Finch
A field of 13 faced the starter, and the winner, completing a double in the historic race, won by 4 lengths with a further 20 lengths back to the third. The winner was struck into at the start, injuring his off-hind, but 22-year-old Gay Leader decided to persevere, making all to win quite comfortably.
Thursday 10th October 1963 (293rd renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Bingo (evens fav) trained by C J Benstead and ridden by Mrs Susan Piggott
Arctic Run (5/2) owned by Mr J Reardon and ridden by Miss Diane Smyth
Kilvemnon (3/1) owned by Mr M C Bailey and ridden by Miss E Cowell
Chatterley's Lover (5/2) trained by W Stephenson and ridden by Miss Jennifer Stephenson
Admiral's Lodge ridden by Mrs M Cole
Sibour ridden by Miss M Ferguson
While husband Lester Piggott was winning the jockey's championship, his wife Susan was scoring another victory in the historic Town Plate, cheered on by their 2 1/2 year old daughter Maureen. The winner won by 8 lengths with a distance back to the third.
Thursday 8th October 1964 (294th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Stem Turn (6/1) trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Miss Diana Thomson Jones
Green Sleeves (7/4 fav) ridden by Mrs E Lambton
Roccell (3/1) ridden by Miss Jennifer Stephenson
Also ran: North Atlantic, Bally Royal, Green Honey, Maison, Highland Myth, Welsh Bard, Le Drakkar, Oriental, Sun Flash, Priddy Hill, Dandy
The winner, guided to success by 13-year-old Diana Thomson Jones, won by 20 lengths with 6 lengths back to the third.
Thursday 14th October 1965 (295th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Dalnamein (6/4 fav) owned by Mrs Agnes Hall, trained by Sam Hall and ridden by Miss Sally Hall
Stem Turn (15/8) ridden by Miss Diana Thomson-Jones
Huguenot (8/1) ridden by Mrs J Oxley
Adam Bede (100/6) ridden by Mrs J Haydon
Barchester Towers (20/1) ridden by Miss Anne Batt
Carlet Legend (33/1) ridden by Miss B Waugh
Naval Law (100/6) ridden by Mrs P Ransom
SJH (9/4) ridden by Mrs Susan Piggott (pulled up)
The winner won by 6 lengths, with 6 lengths back to the third. It was a real family affair, owned by Sally's mother, trained in Middleham by Sam Hall, her uncle, and led in by her 4 year old nephew William Jarvis. after the race Sally Hall was presented with a whip and the traditional Newmarket sausages by Mrs Robert Fellowes, wife of the Jockey Club agent.
Thursday 13th October 1966 (296th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Nikko (2/1 fav) owned and trained by Ron Smyth and ridden by Mrs Diane Law
Queens Tree ridden by Miss Marilyn Calvert
Escutcheon ridden by Miss Veronica Smyth
Toy Soldier ridden by Miss Gilda Griffiths
Sky Dragon ridden by Miss S Hollinshead
Dusty Model ridden by Miss F Forbes
The winner won by 3 lengths, with 3 lengths back to the third. An unusually large field of 18 contested the race, including the youngest rider to ever take part, 12-year-old Marilyn Calvert from Thirsk, daughter of trainer Jack Calvert.
Thursday 12th October 1967 (297th renewal)
Town Plate over the July Round Course
Sagely (2/1 jt fav) 10-year-old trained by Ryan Jarvis and ridden by Miss Sally Hall
Drinka Pinta (5/1) ridden by Miss Susan Cundell
Parthian Shaft (25/1) ridden by Mrs R Stuart-Hunter
Kulumidza trained by Jack Calvert and ridden by Miss Marilyn Calvert
Guano (2/1 jt fav) ridden by Miss Diana Thomson-Jones
One For You ridden by Miss Veronia Smyth
A massive field of 27 went to post for the 297th renewal of the historic Town Plate which was won for the second time by Miss Sally Hall, this time riding Sagely. It was a family affair as Sagely was trained by her brother-in-law and led in by her 6 year old nephew William Jarvis. It was the perfect springboard from which to launch her training career, taking over from her uncle, Sam Hall, at Brecongill stables in Middleham.
Tuesday 10th October 1968 (298th renewal)
Town Plate over the July Round Course
Alphonse (3/1) owned and trained by Frank Cundell and ridden by Susan Cundell
Risky (8/1) ridden by Miss Judy Trafford
Kulumidza (20/1) owned and trained by Jack Calvert and ridden by Miss Marilyn Calvert
Pale Warrior (6/4 fav) ridden by Miss Diana Thomson-Jones
Gatewood Diligent ridden by Miss M Haas
Precognition ridden by Mrs J Hayden
King Caracticus ridden by Miss J Clarke
Princess Limergan ridden by Miss R Reeves-Griffiths
Golden Climber ridden by Miss G Griffiths
Greek Honey ridden by Miss Veronica Smyth
Paper Boy ridden by Miss F Forbes
Brightside ridden by Miss S Hollinshead
Kingshaft ridden by Mrs S May
Ratie Trail ridden by Mr G Wright
Bleepers ridden by Mrs V Dillon
A field of 15 started for the 298th running of the historic Town Plate. The winner took the lead 2 furlongs out and ran on to win by 6 lengths, with 25 lengths between second and third.
Thursday 9th October 1969 (299th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Renardier (2/1) trained by Humphrey Cottrill and ridden by Hazel Cook
Kulumidza (5/1) owned by Mr Carr and ridden by Mrs Jean Calvert
Tomotley (10/1) trained by Ian Balding and ridden by Mrs Ian Balding
Alphonse (5/4 fav) trained by Frank Cundell and ridden by Susan Cundell
Honey End (5/2) owned by Charles Pugh and ridden by Miss Julia Pugh
Man in the Moon (33/1) ridden by Miss R Harper
Indamande (20/1) ridden by Miss D Thorne
Night Sleeper (5/1) ridden by Miss L Hollowell
Lizzie the Lizard (10/1) ridden by Mrs A J Hartnell
Doubtful Whether (100/7) ridden by Miss E Welton
SJH (20/1) ridden by Mrs Susan Piggott
Carmen (20/1) ridden by Miss H Barrell
Saint Franciscus (20/1) ridden by Mrs M Bassett
Trimscrib (20/1) ridden by Miss A Thorne
Orphan Gift (20/1) ridden by Mrs B Smith
Still Night (20/1) ridden by Miss H Stokes
Oboel (20/1) ridden by Miss M Wombwell
Ankhart (33/1) ridden by Miss M Hook
Simply Sam (33/1) ridden by Miss L Carter
Muscat (33/1) ridden by Miss L Rochford
Winning rider, 25-year-old Hazel Cook from Norfolk, was enjoying her first ride in the race and had got herself fit by regularly hunting. In a further break with tradition, Mrs Susan Fellowes, wife of Robert Fellowes, Jockey Club Agent, became the first Lady Steward to act as one of the 3 Stewards overseeing the Town Plate.
Thursday 8th October 1970 (300th running)
Thursday 8th October 1970 (300th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Blake (10/1) ridden by Mrs Marie Tinkler
El Emight (3/1 jt fav) ridden by Mrs H R A Cecil
Kulumidza (7/1) ridden by Mrs J B Calvert
Sara's Sister (4/1) ridden by Miss L Goodwill
Toy Soldier (3/1 jt fav) ridden by Miss G Griffith
Also ran: Nice Unit (Sue Aston), Tia Maria (Denise Smith), Bush Baby (Miss L Davis), Small Star (Marigold Armitage), Probation (Mrs Park), Spifkins (Miss D Metcalfe), Claude (Miss P Cook), Tally (Miss R McEnery), Tannis Rock (Miss S Mastin), All Black (Mrs Bassett), Man in the Moon (Miss Harper), Doubtful Whether (Miss S Welton), Kenilworth (Miss F Welton), Just Yogi (Miss S Hamilton), Bright Counsel (Mrs Dupas), Tirconail (Mrs Armstrong), Moon Bird (Miss S Hollinshead), Praise (Miss R Guest), Queen's Route (Mrs Goodhew), Whiz Bang (Miss V P Hay), Wolborough (Miss A Hinchcliffe), Mystery Lad (Miss D Smith), SJH (Mrs Caldicott)
The largest field to date faced the starter, Blake winning by 4 lengths with 6 lengths back to the third.
Thursday 14th October 1971 (301st renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Ocean Seller (3/1 fav) trained by Colin Tinkler and ridden by Marie Tinkler
Ascend (10/1) ridden by Mrs Caple
Psidium's Rock (5/1) ridden by Miss Yvonne Carr
Pindon (7/1) ridden by Mrs J P Goodhew
Phillip ridden by Nigel Tinkler
Judge's Walk ridden by Jane Probyn
It was a real family success for the Tinkler's in the Town Plate as mother Marie Tinkler, aged 46, partnered the winner for the second successive year, ably assisted by 12-year-old son Nigel who cut out the early pace on Phillip. The winner won by 5 lengths, with 3 lengths back to the third.
Thursday 12th October 1972 (302nd renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Greenacre (6/1) trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Miss Caroline Mercer
Pindon (16/1) ridden by Miss Shirley Goodhew
Supaslippa (12/1) ridden by Miss A Boothman
Caroline Mercer, 14-year-old daughter of the late Manny Mercer, rode the winner for her grandfather Harry Wragg winning by 6 lengths
Thursday 11th October 1973 (303rd renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Woodditton (4/5 fav) trained by Harry Wragg and ridden by Miss Caroline Mercer
Arctic Cacti (20/1) ridden by Miss F Tate
Barmy (2/1) ridden by Mrs Ian Balding)
Also ran: Val's Son (Miss G Smith), Zachary (Mrs M Comerford), Santos (Miss Karen Kirby), Fonton Eye (Miss G Cuff), Lady Rachel (Miss J Hodge), Blackpool Rock (Miss D Weeden), Ballyrich (Miss G Hutchison), Polar Boy (Mrs E Wiles), Wild Ford (Mrs Marie Tinkler), Tession (Mrs Ian Honeywood), Celtic Val (Miss V Roberts)
A crowd of over 400 people saw 16-year-old Caroline Mercer, niece of jockey Joe Mercer and granddaughter of trainer Harry Wragg, run away with the Town Plate for the second year by 20 lengths with 2 lengths back to the third.
Thursday 10th October 1974 (304th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Bella Figura (4/1) ridden by Rosemary Coyne
Robber Viking (5/1) ridden by Mrs Marie Tinkler
Hard Cash (6/4 fav) ridden by Rosemary Maddocks
Gunner Smith ridden by Mrs Elaine Seear
Also ran: Triumph ridden by Miss G B Cuff, Val's Son ridden by Miss G M Smith, Ascend ridden by Mrs D Caple, Round the Moon ridden by Miss Brenda Smith, Astbury ridden by Miss D Bissill, Sweet Romance ridden by Mr F W Davey, Fleet Leader ridden by Mrs C Belger, Polly Rocket ridden by Miss J Thorne, Arcadian Days ridden by Mr E Barlow, Queen's Route ridden by Miss S Goodhew, Court Colours ridden by Mr M Moffatt, My Mate ridden by Miss L Goodwill, Determined ridden by Mrs C Hassell, Harlequin ridden by Miss J Guest
The winner won by 8 lengths and 2 lengths. Grey Seal, ridden by Mrs K M Mack, bolted at the start and was withdrawn, meaning 18 ran.
Thursday 9th October 1975 (305th renewal)
Town Plate over the Round Course
Gunner Smith (7/4) ridden by Mrs Elaine Seear
Some Hazard (Evens fav) trained by Colin Tinkler and ridden by Mrs Marie Tinkler
Mrs Light (4/1) ridden by Mrs Elaine O'Gorman
Also ran: Sonny Grey ridden by Mr I J Youdan, Val's Son ridden by Miss G M Smith, Fonton Eye VI ridden by Mr Keith Loads, Straight Beauty ridden by Mrs T M Cambridge, Testwood Farm ridden by Miss S Goodhew, Tudor Limes ridden by Miss M Shirley, Knappogue Santa ridden by Mrs J Foulds, Grey Seal ridden by Mrs G M Mack
In one of the closest finished ever in the historic Town Plate, Gunner Smith beat Some Hazard by a neck.