Vaughan Family Leads Emotional Return as Newmarket Town Plate Nears

There was a warm ripple of applause at Newmarket on Monday morning as Tim Vaughan, the former jump jockey turned trainer, spoke about saddling up once more alongside his wife and children in Saturday’s Newmarket Town Plate. For Vaughan, who finished runner-up in 2019, it is more than just a race – it is a family occasion rooted in history, charity, and tradition.

“It’s a privilege,” he said, “to ride in something with such history, and to do it with Abbi, Edward and Grace will make it unforgettable.” His words were followed by smiles from the assembled crowd, a reminder that the Town Plate remains one of the most eccentric yet cherished fixtures in the British racing calendar.

A Race Steeped in Royal Tradition

First run in 1666 and instigated by King Charles II, the Newmarket Town Plate is steeped in history. Charles himself won the inaugural running, becoming the first and only reigning monarch to ride a winner in a race. His decree that it should be run “forever” has been honoured for over three and a half centuries.

Once a jewel of the racing scene, the Town Plate has evolved into a celebratory contest that closes Newmarket’s summer season. Normally contested over three-and-three-quarter miles, this year’s renewal will be shorter – two miles and a furlong – after a parched summer left the usual turf route unfit for use. As in 2022, the entire race will now be staged on the July Course.

Riders with Stories to Tell

The 2025 line-up is a colourful mix of professional horsepeople, enthusiastic amateurs, and determined fundraisers.

• Amy Bannister-Bell, a freelance coach and Retraining of Racehorses representative, rides after catching the racing bug in charity contests.

• Nina Barbour, fresh from a Magnolia Cup ride at Goodwood, brings her competitive edge from the Bolesworth Estate.

• Keiran Burke, a Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey-turned-trainer, adds class and experience.

• Jon Day, Southwell’s farrier, will try again on Stripe Of Honour after twice finishing runner-up.

• Abi Thomas, just 18, takes her chance while raising funds for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

• Deborah Walton, fourth last year on Buzzard Trix, returns with her Shropshire-trained partner.

And then there is the Vaughan clan – Tim, his wife Abbi, their champion pony-racing son Edward, and their talented daughter Grace, who recently qualified for Horse of the Year Show. Together, they embody the family spirit that makes the Town Plate unique.

Remembering Valda Embiricos

This year’s race is run in memory of Valda Embiricos, who in 1955 became one of the first women to ride to victory in the Town Plate, following in the footsteps of her mother Eileen Joel in 1925. Valda’s daughter Alex extended the family legacy with her own success in 1984.

Valda’s greatest triumph as an owner came in 1981 when Aldaniti, carrying the famous red and white colours she shared with her husband Nick, won the Grand National under Bob Champion. Fittingly, the Bob Champion Cancer Trust will serve as the official charity partner for this year’s Town Plate, honouring a cause close to Valda’s heart.

Sausages, Silver, and Farriers

The Town Plate retains its glorious eccentricity. Riders will once again receive prizes provided by Goldings of Newmarket and Powters Celebrated Sausages, while the Embiricos family will add a special gift for each participant. The Worshipful Company of Farriers will also be on hand, presenting an award for the best-shod horse.

A Tradition that Endures

The Newmarket Town Plate is no longer about prestige or betting slips. It is about community, memory, and the love of horses. Whether it is an 18-year-old raising funds for charity, a farrier chasing a long-awaited win, or a family riding into history together, Saturday’s renewal promises the same blend of sport and sentiment that has kept the race alive since King Charles II first decreed it should be run “forever.”

And in 2025, even with its shortened distance, the Newmarket Town Plate looks set once again to capture hearts and uphold tradition at the Home of Horseracing.

Catch up on previous racecards and articles on RaceBuzz.

For official updates and information, visit the Newmarket Racecourse website.