 The most valuable flat race to be run there annually is the Ulster Derby.Racing has been
taking place on the current course, at Maze near Lisburn, since, the early 18th
Century on land donated by Arthur Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire, but the
history of Down Royal goes further back to 1685 when King James II issued a
Royal Charter and formed the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders.In 1750
King George II donated £100 to run King's Plate and to the present day a race
named Her Majestys Plate is run in July over 1 mile 5 furlongs with the prize money contributed to by the Privy Purse.