The Jockey Club Plate, not to be confused with the Newmarket Town Plate which was first run on the Round Course in 1666, was restricted to Jockey Club Members and run at Newmarket annually. The earliest record of a Jockey Club Plate was in 1753 when two were staged two days apart. The first, for 4-year-olds, was run on the Round Course on Tuesday 15th May 1753 and won by Beau Clincher owned by Lord Gower, while 2 days later a second subscription Plate for 100 Guineas was contested on Thursday 17th May 1753 and was won by Crab owned by Captain Vernon. In 1764 the Jockey Club introduced the Newmarket Challenge Whip restricted to Jockey Club Members, a race run over the Beacon Course with each horse carrying 10 stone. The prize was a Whip, which contains hairs from the tail of the famous racehorse Eclipse, given to the Jockey Club by King Charles II. In 1768 the inaugural running of the Jockey Club Newmarket Challenge Cup , designed by Abraham Portal, took place over the Beacon Course and was restricted to Jockey Club Members. The 4 races provide vital evidence confirming membership of the Jockey Club.

Newmarket Challenge Whip over the Beacon Course was not contested in 1774

Wednesday 27th April 1774
Subscription Purse of 100 Guineas over 4 miles of the Round Course for 4-year-olds the property of Jockey Club Members, each horse to carry 8st
1. PROTECTOR (6/4 fav), bay colt owned by Sir Charles Bunbury
2. HYACINTH (6/1), bay filly owned by Mr Richard Vernon
3. MAIDEN (7/4), bay filly owned by Lord Grosvenor
4. BABEL, bay colt owned by Duke of Northumberland
5. TWIG colt, grey owned by Sir John Shelley
6. PILGARLIC, bay colt owned by General Parker
7. SOOTHSAYER, bay colt owned by Lord Ossory
8. SLOUCH, bay colt owned by Mr Philip Burlton
9. OBEREA, bay colt owned by Mr Robert Pigot
10. JONQUILLE, bay colt owned by Lord Clermont

Thursday 28th April 1774
Second Subscription Purse of 100 Guineas, over the Beacon Course, for horses the property of Jockey Club Members, each horse to carry 8st 7lbs
1. TRANSIT (10/1), chestnut horse owned by Lord Abingdon
2. TRENTHAM (3/1), brown horse owned by Sir Charles Sedley
3. FLORIZEL (4/7 fav), bay horse owned by Mr Richard Vernon
4. CONSUL, bay horse owned by Sir Lawrence Dundas
5. RATONI, bay horse owned by Mr H Vernon
6. PICCADILLY, bay horse owned by Mr C Pigot
7. AUGUR, bay horse owned by Mr Codrington

Tuesday 4th October 1774
JOCKEY CLUB NEWMARKET CHALLENGE CUP
A Sweepstake of 200 Guineas each, Play or Pay, run over the Beacon Course with weights as prescribed at the Jockey Club Meeting on 5th October 1768
1. MEXICO (4/1), bay horse owned by Lord Grosvenor
2. ALFRED (1/3 fav), bay horse owned by Mr Vernon
3. LABYRINTH (5/1), bay horse owned by Duke of Grafton
ENTERPRIZE, bay horse owned by Mr Foley paid but did not run