Racing in Newmarket was recorded in the time of
James I. The racecourse itself was founded in 1636. Up until 1744, the two most valuable races run at the course were the King's Plate and the Town Plate. Two more Plate races were added in that year, paid for by local traders, both worth 50
guineas – one was a race for five-year-olds carrying 9 stone, one was an open age race in four mile heats. Another paid for by landowners was a four-year-old race over four miles, each carrying 8 stone 7 lbs. At that time, formal races at Newmarket only took place twice a year – once in April, once in October. A second Spring meeting was added in 1753., a second October meeting in 1762, the July meeting in 1765, the Houghton meeting in 1770 and the Craven in 1771. By 1840, there were seven annual meetings: • The Craven Meeting – a week, beginning Easter Monday (inaugurated 1771) • 1st Spring Meeting – a week, beginning Easter Monday fortnight (inaugurated pre-1744) • 2nd Spring Meeting – a week, beginning Easter Monday month (inaugurated 1753) • July Meeting – a few days, around 10 July (inaugurated 1765) • 1 October Meeting – a week, beginning Monday before the first Thursday in October (inaugurated pre-1744) • 2 October Meeting – a week, beginning Monday before the third Thursday in October (inaugurated 1762) • Houghton Meeting – a few days, beginning two weeks later (inaugurated in 1770) ==Layout==