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Northumberland Plate Handicap: Past Winners, Stats & History

Northumberland Plate Festival
Course:
Newcastle
All Weather Flat Course
Grade:
Class 2
Length:
2m½f
Last Winner:
Onesmoothoperator @ 12/1
Prize Money:
£150,000 (2024)

It is a weekend of Derbies on the racing front as June comes to a close and July begins. Whilst it’s the three year olds who light up the track at The Curragh in the Irish Derby, Newcastle has a “Derby” of its own on offer.

Commonly known as the “Pitmen’s Derby”, the Northumberland Plate Handicap is the track’s biggest race of the year and is invariably one of the most popular betting heats of the summer months.

Whilst this is an old race – having been with us since way back in 1833 – one of the most significant changes in its history only came recently with the conversion of Newcastle from a turf to an all-weather track in 2016.

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Northumberland Plate Course Map (All Weather Flat Course)

Newcastle All Weather Flat Racecourse Map

The 2m½f Northumberland Plate begins on the home straight, close to the 2f marker. The field passes in front of the grandstands, passing the winning post for the first time before completing a full circuit left-handed.

Northumberland Plate Past Winners

Year Winner SP Trainer Jockey
2024 Onesmoothoperator 12/1 Brian Ellison Connor Beasley
2023 Calling The Wind 14/1 Richard Hughes Neil Callan
2022 Trueshan 3/1 Alan King Hollie Doyle
2021 Nicholas T 33/1 Jim Goldie Ben Robinson
2020 Caravan Of Hope 9/2 Hugo Palmer Harry Bentley
2019 Who Dares Wins 12/1 Alan King Tom Marquand
2018 Withhold 5/1 Roger Charlton Robert Winston
2017 Higher Power 11/2 James Fanshawe Tom Queally
2016 Antiquarium 16/1 Charlie Appleby James McDonald
2015 Quest For More 15/2 Roger Charlton George Baker
2014 Angel Gabriel 4/1 Richard Fahey George Chaloner
2013 Tominator 8/1 Jonjo O'Neill Graham Lee
2012 Ile De Re 5/2 Donald McCain Jim Crowley
2011 Tominator 25/1 Reg Hollinshead Paul Pickard
2010 Overturn 14/1 Donald McCain Eddie Ahern
2009 Som Tala 16/1 Mick Channon Tony Culhane
2008 Arc Bleu 14/1 Tony Martin Adrian Nicholls
2007 Juniper Girl 5/1 Michael Bell Luke Morris
2006 Toldo 33/1 George M. Moore Nelson de Souza
2005 Sergeant Cecil 14/1 Rod Millman Alan Munro

About The Northumberland Plate: The Pitmen’s Derby

Newcastle Racecourse Building
Photo © Bill Henderson (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Late June/early July each year sees what is the highlight of the flat racing season in the North East, as Newcastle plays host to the truly historic handicap contest of the Northumberland Plate. Acting as the headline act on the final day of a three-day festival – including an incredibly popular Ladies Day on the Friday – the race is annually one of the main targets of the season for the top staying handicappers in training.

Two miles and 56 yards is the trip in a contest which is open to all runners aged three and older, with a maximum field of twenty all but assured. With total prize money having now risen to £150,000, it is no surprise the event proves so popular with connections of those runners for whom stamina is a strong suit.

THE PITMEN’S DERBY

Newcastle Town Moor Racecourse
Newcastle Libraries, flickr

Having first been run not far off 200 years ago in 1833, the race is already one of the oldest of its type run anywhere in the world, but actually has its roots even further back in time. The race which eventually grew into the Northumberland Plate first took place at the now defunct track on Town Moor as long ago as 1623, not taking up residence at its current Gosforth Park venue until 1882.

Taking place in the week which was a traditional holiday period for the thriving local mining industry, the event rapidly became hugely popular with workers in the area who flocked to Gosforth Park year upon year. So synonymous did the race became with the mining community that it quickly became known as the “Pitmen’s Derby”, a nickname which still lingers to some degree today, long past the mining heyday of yesteryear.

FROM MIDWEEK TO THE WEEKEND, TURF TO TAPETA

Horse Racing on Sand

Considering it has been with us for so long, it’s not too surprising that the race has undergone a couple of changes over the years. The two most significant of which concern the day on which the race takes place, and the surface upon which it is run.

Much like the Epsom Derby itself, this race was initially one of the standout midweek contests of the season, taking place on a Wednesday until 1952.

A more recent alteration came with the decision of Newcastle racecourse to switch from a turf track to a synthetic Tapeta surface in 2016. Roger Charlton’s Quest For More landing the last ever turf edition of the race in 2015. The switch had its detractors at the time, but certainly hasn’t affected the quality of the race in terms of the class of entrants it attracts.

UNDERHAND ABOVE THE REST

There have been a number of hugely popular winners of this over the years including the tough as teak stayer Sergeant Cecil who came home in front for Rod Millman in 2005, and the talented dual-purpose performer Overturn who lead his rivals a merry dance in 2010.

We have to go a fair way back through the history books to find the most successful runner in the history of this race though. That record belongs to a horse by the name of Underhand who took the prize three years in succession between 1857 and 1859.

Chart Showing the Horses That Have Won Multiple Northumberland Plates Between 1833 and 2024

COLE MINES THE MOST SUCCESS

Rather appropriately given the history of this race, it is Paul Cole who boasts the best record in modern times amongst the trainers, having sent out the winner three times between 1997 and 2001.

PAUL COLE’S NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE VICTORIES

Year Horse Jockey SP Weight Draw
2001 Archduke Ferdinand Franny Norton 12/1 8-04 17
1998 Cyrian Tim Sprake 12/1 7-13 2
1997 Windsor Castle Thomas Richard Quinn 10/1 8-10 20

The fact that a total of just two wins is the benchmark amongst the riders in the modern era is a testament to just how competitive this race is. Willie Carson and Kevin Darley are the men in the saddle to have recorded those dual successes.

Other Races of Note at Newcastle

  • AW 3 Year Old Championships
  • AW Championships Marathon
  • AW Fillies' & Mares' Champs
  • AW Middle Distance Champs
  • AW Mile Championships
  • AW Sprint Championships
  • Eider Handicap Chase
  • Fighting Fifth Hurdle
  • Northumberland Plate

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