Richard Gauthier Collection

Newcastle Racecourse

The earliest record of racing in the Newcastle area was on 17th March 1621 on Killingworth Moor, while over 70 years later the records of the Newcastle Corporation noted races took place in 1695. However, it was not until 1721 that races were held on Town Moor, although it was some time before the first King’s Plate was staged on Tuesday 5th June 1753 when won by Cato. A common practice in the late 18th century was to sell life membership tickets to raise the necessary finances to build grandstands. In 1800 Newcastle sold silver subscribers tickets for 15 guineas each to pay for their grandstand, the front and back of one of them is shown opposite. The two mile Northumberland Plate was first run on the Town Moor course in 1833 as a £15 handicap sweepstake and was won by Tomboy carrying 8st 2lbs. A full record of the Northumberland Plate is shown below. The Gosforth Park Company was formed in 1881 under the direction of Fife Scott and Charles Perkins. In March 1882 the first enclosed coursing meeting took place at High Gosforth Park, followed closely by the inaugural race meeting on 9th September 1882. A members badge from the second year of racing at High Gosforth Park is shown opposite. The 812 acre High Gosforth Park estate became the permanent home of Newcastle racecourse, with the Northumberland Plate of that year won by Victor Emmanuel, who later went on to win two Goodwood Cups and the Ebor. National Hunt racing took place at the course for the first time in 1951, the Eider Chase being its most important race. The 1975 Fighting Fifth Hurdle was one of the best races ever held on the course, with Comedy of Errors, Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon battling out the finish before Night Nurse prevailed. In 1994, after a period of decline, the racecourse was bought by Northern Racing, chaired by Sir Stanley Clarke, and the company invested a significant amount to modernise the course. The principal races at the racecourse are the Northumberland Plate which is known as the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’ on account of it being a day’s holiday in the pits allowing the pitmen to attend, first run over 2 miles and 56 yards in 1883, the Eider Chase, first run in 1952, and the Fighting Fifth Hurdle over 2 miles, first run in 1969. Currently the course hosts 32 fixtures annually.
Tuesday 5th June 1753
His Majesty’s 100 Guineas Purse over 3 miles
1. Cato, bay horse owned by Mr Bowes
2. Skim, grey horse owned by Mr Smith
3. Balaam, bay horse owned by Mr Bates
4. Trifle, bay horse owned by Mr Fletcher
5. Duchess, bay mare owned by Mr Fenwick

1833 The Northumberland Plate was won by Tomboy, owned by Mr Orde and ridden by Johnson 6 ran
1834 The Northumberland Plate was won by Fanny, owned by Colonel Cradock and ridden by Wintringham 5 ran
1835 The Northumberland Plate was won by Satan, owned by Sir T Haggerton 7 ran
1836 The Northumberland Plate was won by Cyprian, owned by Mr J Scott and ridden by Gray 4 ran
1837 The Northumberland Plate was won by Wedge, owned by the Duke of Cleveland and ridden by T Lye 5 ran
1838 The Northumberland Plate was won by St Bennet, owned by Lord Eglinton and ridden by T Lye 5 ran
1839 The Northumberland Plate was won by St Bennet, owned by Lord Eglinton and ridden by T Lye 5 ran
1840 The Northumberland Plate was won by Hetman Platoff (2/1), owned by Mr John Bowes and ridden by Nat 11 ran
1841 The Northumberland Plate was won by Calypso (7/2), owned by Mr St Paul and ridden by Templeman 13 ran
1842 The Northumberland Plate was won by Heslington (20/1), owned by Major Yarburgh and ridden by Joy 13 ran
1843 The Northumberland Plate was won by Moss Trooper (10/1), owned by Mr Ramsay and ridden by Francis 13 ran
1844 The Northumberland Plate was won by The AEra (8/1), owned by Mr W H Johnstone and ridden by Lye 11 ran
1845 The Northumberland Plate was won by Inheritress (8/1), owned by Mr Meiklam and ridden by Lye 17 ran
1846 The Northumberland Plate was won by Dolo (14/1), owned by Lord Eglinton and ridden by Prince 14 ran
1847 The Northumberland Plate was won by Eryx (11/1), owned by Lord Eglinton and ridden by Prince 15 ran
1848 The Northumberland Plate was won by Chanticleer (7/1), owned by Mr Merry and ridden by Bumby 11 ran
1849 The Northumberland Plate was won by John Cosser (11/2), owned by Mr B Eddison and ridden by Charlton 12 ran
1850 The Northumberland Plate was won by Elthiron (5/4), owned by Lord Eglinton and ridden by Cartwright 7 ran
1851 The Northumberland Plate was won by Neasham (3/1), owned by Mr T Wilkinson and ridden by Haxby 8 ran
1852 The Northumberland Plate was won by Stilton (5/6 fav), owned by Mr Meiklam and ridden by Aldcroft 8 ran
1853 The Northumberland Plate was won by Kingston (15/1), owned by Mr J B Morris and ridden by Basham 14 ran
1854 The Northumberland Plate was won by Grapeshot (100/8), owned by Mr Milner and ridden by Ashmall 16 ran
1855 The Northumberland Plate was won by Whitelock (20/1), owned by Mr Mather and ridden by J Walters 15 ran
1856 The Northumberland Plate was won by Zeta (8/1), owned by Lord Zetland and ridden by Challoner 10 ran
1857 The Northumberland Plate was won by Underhand (9/2), owned by Mr G Forster and ridden by Plumb 7 ran
1858 The Northumberland Plate was won by Underhand (6/1), owned by Mr G Forster and ridden by Basham 14 ran
1859 The Northumberland Plate was won by Underhand (100/8), owned by Mr G Forster and ridden by Aldcroft 12 ran
1860 The Northumberland Plate was won by First Lord (9/2), owned by Mr J Whittaker and ridden by Page 12 ran
1861 The Northumberland Plate was won by Joey Jones (10/1), owned by Mr Stewart and ridden by Doyle 9 ran
1862 The Northumberland Plate was won by Montebello (100/15), owned by Mr Treen and ridden by J Grimshaw 13 ran
1863 The Northumberland Plate was won by Caller Ou (5/1), owned by Mr L’Anson and ridden by Challoner 15 ran
1864 The Northumberland Plate was won by Caller Ou (6/4 fav), owned by Mr L’Anson and ridden by Challoner 10 ran
1865 The Northumberland Plate was won by Brown Bread (5/1), owned by Mr Mackenzie and ridden by Carroll 10 ran
1866 The Northumberland Plate was won by Rococo (7/2), owned by Mr Johnstone and ridden by Cameron 7 ran
1867 The Northumberland Plate was won by Fervacques (2/1), owned by M A de Montgomery and ridden by Butler 8 ran
1868 The Northumberland Plate was won by Fortunio (5/1), owned by Captain Gray and ridden by J Snowden 9 ran
1869 The Northumberland Plate was won by The Spy (7/4), owned by Mr John Bowes and ridden by Morris 7 ran
1870 The Northumberland Plate was won by Kennington (5/2), owned by Mr T V Morgan and ridden by Hunt 8 ran
1871 The Northumberland Plate was won by Taraban (100/8), owned by Mr John Bowes and ridden by Gradwell 8 ran
1872 The Northumberland Plate was won by Spennithorne (4/1), owned by Mr W Henderson and ridden by W Gray 10 ran
1873 The Northumberland Plate was won by Falkland (100/8), owned by Mr Houldsworth and ridden by T Osborne 12 ran
1874 The Northumberland Plate was won by Lily Agnes (7/4 fav), owned by Mr J Snarry and ridden by W Chaloner 12 ran
1875 The Northumberland Plate was won by Harriet Laws (6/1), owned by Mr T Holmes and ridden by Morgan 12 ran
1876 The Northumberland Plate was won by The Snail (4/1), owned by Lord Rosebery and ridden by Morbey 13 ran
1877 The Northumberland Plate was won by Hampton (4/1), owned by Mr Hobson and ridden by F Webb 15 ran
1878 The Northumberland Plate was won by Glastonbury (6/4 fav), owned by Mr Vyner and ridden by Carlisle 8 ran
1879 The Northumberland Plate was won by Clearhead (5/1), owned by Mr R Cowan and ridden by Luke 9 ran
1880 The Northumberland Plate was won by Mycenae (7/1), owned by Mr Vyner and ridden by Morgan 13 ran
1881 The Northumberland Plate was won by Bonnie Doon (11/8 fav), owned by Mr R Jardine and ridden by Kellett 9 ran
1882 The Northumberland Plate was won by Victor Emanuel (100/9), owned by Mr H Bragg and ridden by W Platt 11 ran
1883 The Northumberland Plate was won by Barcaldine (11/2), owned and trained by Mr R Peck and ridden by Fred Archer 10 ran
1884 The Northumberland Plate was won by Lawminster (9/1), owned by Mr T Holmes and ridden by J Fagan 9 ran
1885 The Northumberland Plate was won by Blue Grass (2/1), owned by Mr R Craig and ridden by Giles 7 ran
1886 The Northumberland Plate was won by Stone Clink (100/8), owned by Mr R C Vyner and ridden by D Goodway 6 ran
1887 The Northumberland Plate was won by Exmoor (100/30 fav), owned by Mr W Blake, trained by Robert Sherwood and ridden by J Watts 13 ran
1888 The Northumberland Plate was won by Matin Bell
1889 The Northumberland Plate was won by Drizzle, owned by Lord Durham
1890 The Northumberland Plate was won by Houndsditch (3/1 fav), owned by Mr J Lowther and ridden by H Morgan 12 ran
1891 The Northumberland Plate was won by Queen’s Birthday (5/4 fav), owned by Major Joicey and ridden by J Watts 11 ran
1892 The Northumberland Plate was won by Newcourt (8/1), owned by Mr W L'Anson and ridden by Mullen 8 ran
1893 The Northumberland Plate was won by Seaton Delaval (7/2), owned by Lord Hastings and ridden by F Finlay 5 ran
1894 The Northumberland Plate was won by Newcourt (5/4 fav), owned by Mr P Buchanan and ridden by Colling 8 ran
1895 The Northumberland Plate was won by The Docker (7/1), owned by Mr P Buchanan, trained by Mr W L’Anson and ridden by F Finlay 9 ran
1896 The Northumberland Plate was won by Dare Devil (6/1), owned by Mr C Perkins and ridden by Fagan 5 ran
1897 The Northumberland Plate was won by Bradwardine (3/1 fav), owned by Mr A F Calvert and ridden by C Wood 15 ran
1898 The Northumberland Plate was won by King Crow (4/1 fav), owned by Mr R C Vyner, trained by John Osborne Jnr and ridden by F Black 10 ran
1899 The Northumberland Plate was won by Sherburn (13/8 fav), owned by Lord Durham and ridden by F Rickaby 8 ran
1900 The Northumberland Plate was won by Joe Chamberlain (8/1), owned by Mr J C Dyer and ridden by J H Martin 8 ran
1901 The Northumberland Plate was won by Reminiscence, owned by Lord Farquhar, trained by G Lambton and ridden by H Aylin 12 ran
1902 The Northumberland Plate was won by Osbech 10 ran
1903 The Northumberland Plate was won by Cliftonhall, trained by W L’Anson and ridden by B Dillon 8 ran
1904 The Northumberland Plate was won by Palmy Days 10 ran
1905 The Northumberland Plate was won by Princess Florizel
1906 The Northumberland Plate was won by Outbreak 12 ran
1907 The Northumberland Plate was won by Killigrew
1908 The Northumberland Plate was won by Old China, trained by J Fagan and ridden by G McCall 11 ran
1909 The Northumberland Plate was won by Sir Harry 11 ran
1910 The Northumberland Plate was won by Elizabetta 11 ran
1911 The Northumberland Plate was won by Pillo, trained by W Robinson 10 ran
1912 The Northumberland Plate was won by Mynora, trained by John Osborne Jnr and ridden by J Ledson 9 ran
1913 The Northumberland Plate was won by The Tylt 13 ran
1914 The Northumberland Plate was won by The Guller, trained by John Osborne and ridden by J Ledson 9 ran
1915-18 The Northumberland Plate was not contested due to the First World War
1919 The Northumberland Plate was won by Trestle, owned by the Earl of Derby and trained by G Colling
1920 The Northumberland Plate was won by Irish Lake 10 ran
1921 The Northumberland Plate was won by Hunt Law 12 ran
1922 The Northumberland Plate was won by Double Hackle, owned by Mr J E Langley, trained by J Cannon and ridden by H Robbins 14 ran
1923 The Northumberland Plate was won by Carpathus, ridden by J Ledson 11 ran
1924 The Northumberland Plate was won by Jazz Band, ridden by Charlie Smirke 9 ran
1925 The Northumberland Plate was won by Obliterate, ridden by J Childs 10 ran
1926 The Northumberland Plate was won by Foxlaw, owned by Sir Abe Bailey and trained by Reginald Day 6 ran
1927 The Northumberland Plate was won by Border Minstrel 7 ran
1928 The Northumberland Plate was won by Primrose League, owned by Mr J G Thompson 14 ran
1929 The Northumberland Plate was won by Ballynahinch 13 ran
1930 The Northumberland Plate was won by Show Girl owned by Lady Ludlow 12 ran
1931 The Northumberland Plate was won by Blue Vision, trained by Ivor Anthony and ridden by K Gethin 8 ran
1932 The Northumberland Plate was won by Pommarel, trained by M D Peacock and ridden by J Dines 10 ran
1933 The Northumberland Plate was won by Leonard, trained by Captain Charles Elsey and ridden by C W Bullock 10 ran
1934 The Northumberland Plate was won by White Plains, trained by Jack Jarvis and ridden by Eph Smith 15 ran
1935 The Northumberland Plate was won by Doreen Jane, owned by Sir Abe Bailey, trained by H Cottrill and ridden by Doug Smith 8 ran
1936 The Northumberland Plate was won by Coup de Roi, owned by Sir P Lorraine 7 ran
1937 The Northumberland Plate was won by Nectar, owned by Sir E Bushey and trained by F L Armstrong 11 ran
1938 The Northumberland Plate was won by Union Jack, trained by Captain Charles Elsey 12 ran
1939 The Northumberland Plate was won by Oracion 13 ran
1940-45 The Northumberland Plate was not contested due to World War II
1946 The Northumberland Plate (run at Aintree) was won by Gutsy, owned by Lord Allendale, trained by Captain Charles Elsey and ridden by Harry Wragg 5 ran
1947 The Northumberland Plate was won by Culrain
1948 The Northumberland Plate was won by Pappatea
1949 The Northumberland Plate was won by Fol Ami, owned by HH Maharaja of Baroda, trained by F L Armstrong and ridden by Willie Snaith 13 ran
1950 The Northumberland Plate was won by Light Cavalry, owned by Mr McLeod and ridden by Joe Sime 8 ran
1951 The Northumberland Plate was won by Sycomore II
1952 The Northumberland Plate was won by Souepi, owned by Mr O A Digby 6 ran
1953 The Northumberland Plate was won by Nick La Rocca, owned by Mr F Williams, trained by R J Colling and ridden by Joe Mercer 14 ran
1954 The Northumberland Plate was won by Friseur, owned by Mrs R N Ryan, trained by Noel Murless and ridden by Gordon Richards 20 ran
1955 The Northumberland Plate was won by Little Cloud, owned by Sir Victor Sassoon, trained by Noel Murless and ridden by Lester Piggott 16 ran
1956 The Northumberland Plate was won by Jardiniere, owned by Mrs T Lilley, trained by Noel Murless and ridden by Doug Smith 12 ran
1957 The Northumberland Plate was won by Great Rock
1958 The Northumberland Plate was won by Master of Arts, owned by Mr Jakie Astor, trained by J Colling and ridden by Joe Mercer 21 ran
1959 The Northumberland Plate was won by Cannebiere
1960 The Northumberland Plate was won by New Brig, trained by G Boyd and ridden by N Stirk 13 ran
1961 The Northumberland Plate was won by Utrillo, trained by W O’Gorman and ridden by Des Cullen 20 ran
1962 The Northumberland Plate was won by Bordone
1963 The Northumberland Plate was won by Horse Radish
1964 The Northumberland Plate was won by Peter Piper, trained by R Mason and ridden by J Wilson 18 ran
1965 The Northumberland Plate was won by Cagirama
1966 The Northumberland Plate was won by Sweet Story, trained by R Peacock and ridden by Jimmy Etherington 15 ran
1967 The Northumberland Plate was won by Piaco, trained by G Barling and ridden by M L Thomas 13 ran
1968 The Northumberland Plate was won by Amateur, owned by Lord Derby and ridden by Willie Carson 14 ran
1969 The Northumberland Plate was won by Even Say
1970 The Northumberland Plate was won by Philoctetes, ridden by Pat ddery 16 ran
1971 The Northumberland Plate was won by Tartar Prince
1972 The Northumberland Plate was won by Scoria, owned by J Lang and ridden by R Smith 13 ran
1973 The Northumberland Plate was won by Tom Cribb, trained by Bruce Hobbs and ridden by Lester Piggot 11 ran
1974 The Northumberland Plate was won by Attivo 11 ran
1975 The Northumberland Plate was won by Grey God
1976 The Northumberland Plate was won by Philominsky
1977 The Northumberland Plate was won by Tug of War 15 ran
1978 The Northumberland Plate was won by Tug of War 10 ran
1979 The Northumberland Plate was won by Totowah
1980 The Northumberland Plate was won by Mon’s Beau
1981 The Northumberland Plate was won by Dawn Johnny
1982 The Northumberland Plate was not held
1983 The Northumberland Plate was won by Weavers Pin
1984 The Northumberland Plate was won by Karadar
1985 The Northumberland Plate was won by Trade Line (17/2), trained by Ron Sheather and ridden by Tyrone Williams
1986 The Northumberland Plate was won by Sneak Preview (4/1 fav), trained by Henry Candy and ridden by Simon Whitworth
1987 The Northumberland Plate was won by Treasure Hunter (20/1), trained by Jimmy Fitzgerald and ridden by Lindsay Charnock
1988 The Northumberland Plate was won by Stavordale (9/4 fav), trained by Harry Thomson Jones and ridden by Michael Roberts 10 ran
1989 The Northumberland Plate was won by Orpheus (4/1 jf), trained by Guy Harwood and ridden by Richard Fox 12 ran
1990 The Northumberland Plate was won by Al Maheb (/2), trained by Alec Stewart and ridden by Willie Carson 12 ran
1991 The Northumberland Plate was won by Tamarpour (10/1), trained by Martin Pipe and ridden by Ernie Johnson 14 ran
1992 The Northumberland Plate was won by Witness Box (6/1), trained by John Gosden and ridden by George Duffield 13 ran
1993 The Northumberland Plate was won by Highflying (7/1), trained by George M Moore and ridden by Joe Fanning 18 ran
1994 The Northumberland Plate was won by Quick Ransom (25/1), trained by Mark Johnston and ridden by Jason Weaver 20 ran
1995 The Northumberland Plate was won by Bold Gait (12/1), trained by James Fanshawe and ridden by David Harrison 17 ran
1996 The Northumberland Plate was won by Celeric (2/1 fav), trained by David Morley and ridden by Willie Carson 13 ran
1997 The Northumberland Plate was won by Windsor Castle (10/1), trained by Paul Cole and ridden by Richard Quinn 23 ran
1998 The Northumberland Plate was won by Cyrian (12/1), trained by Paul Cole and ridden by Tim Sprake 20 ran
1999 The Northumberland Plate was won by Far Cry (9/2 jf), trained by Martin Pipe and ridden by Kevin Darley 20 ran
2000 The Northumberland Plate was won by Bay of Islands (7/1), trained by David Morris and ridden by Kevin Darley 18 ran
2001 The Northumberland Plate was won by Archduke Ferdinand (12/1), trained by Paul Cole and ridden by Franny Norton 18 ran
2002 The Northumberland Plate was won by Bangalore (8/1), trained by Amanda Perrett and ridden by Seb Sanders 16 ran
2003 The Northumberland Plate was won by Unleash (10/1), trained by Philip Hobbs and ridden by Jamie Spencer 20 ran
2004 The Northumberland Plate was won by Mirjan (33/1), trained by Len Lungo and ridden by Paul Hanagan 19 ran
2005 The Northumberland Plate was won by Sergeant Cecil (14/1), trained by Rod Millman and ridden by Alan Munro 20 ran
2006 The Northumberland Plate was won by Toldo (33/1), trained by George M Moore and ridden by Nelson de Souza 20 ran
2007 The Northumberland Plate was won by Juniper Girl (5/1 fav), trained by Michael Bell and ridden by Luke Morris 20 ran
2008 The Northumberland Plate was won by Arc Bleu (14/1), trained by Tony Martin and ridden by Adrian Nicholls 18 ran
2009 The Northumberland Plate was won by Som Tala (16/1), trained by Mick Channon and ridden by Tony Culhane 17 ran
2010 The Northumberland Plate was won by Overturn (14/1), trained by Donald McCain and ridden by Eddie Ahern 21 ran
2011 The Northumberland Plate was won by Tominator (25/1), trained by Reg Hollinshead and ridden by Paul Pickard 19 ran
2012 The Northumberland Plate was won by Ile de Re (5/2 fav), trained by Donald McCain and ridden by Jim Crowley 16 ran
2013 The Northumberland Plate was won by Tominator (8/1), trained by Jonjo O’Neill and ridden by Graham Lee 20 ran
2014 The Northumberland Plate was won by Angel Gabrial (4/1 fav), trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by George Chaloner 19 ran
2015 The Northumberland Plate was won by Quest For More (15/2), trained by Roger Charlton and ridden by George Baker 19 ran
2016 The Northumberland Plate was won by Antiquarium (16/1), trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by James McDonald 20 ran