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John Smith's Northumberland Plate
The Northumberland Plate meeting is one of the highlights of the Flat racing year in the north of England and has expanded from two to three days this year due to its growing popularity.
A modern-day record crowd of 24,500 attended Plate day in 2003 – prompting a return to the original three-day format. The equally popular Gosforth Park Cup over five furlongs remains the feature race on Friday night, with the Seaton Delaval Trophy the main event on day one of the revamped fixture.
The John Smith’s Northumberland Plate, run over two miles, is the most valuable staying handicap in Europe. First run in 1833, it is known popularly as the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’, reflecting the north-east’s mining heritage.
Racing also has an important tradition in the region – immortalised in the well-known song ‘Blaydon Races’ - and the Plate has long been an important part of the sporting heritage. In the 19th century the race formed the centrepiece of the holiday period known locally as Races Week.
Nowadays, Plate day attracts a diverse crowd of regular and one-off racegoers. Fashion and fun go hand in hand, with many ladies treating it as a north-east version of Royal Ascot, but with a more relaxed and informal atmosphere.
Newcastle has undergone major refurbishment in recent years and has boosted prize-money, so a return to the glory days looks imminent.
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