KING'S PLATE
.—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 improving the breed of horses in general; as well as to afford an annual pecuniary 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 indispensible 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the seal of the royal hunt; when which ten tickets are obtained, the horse has secured his qualification, may then be withdrawn from the field, and is not obliged to appear again till the DAY of ENTRANCE at Sunning-Hill Wells, where and when the tickets must be produced, in confirmation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.
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.
King's Plate Articles.
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.