The Great Subscription Purses were a series of flat horse races in Great Britain run at York Racecourse, usually over a distance of 4 miles, that took place each year in August from 1751 to 1833. During the second half of the 18th century they were amongst the most important races in the county, but during the 19th century their importance declined as racing became more focused on shorter distances.

Paulina (1804–1819) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic St Leger Stakes in 1807. In a racing career which lasted from August 1806 until October 1809 she won nine times from fourteen races, all of which took place in Yorkshire. She was undefeated in three races as an unnamed two-year-old, before winning three of her four races in 1807 including the St Leger at Doncaster and a valuable produce sweepstakes at York. She won once from two starts as a four-year-old before winning a Great Subscription Purse at York and a King's Plate at Richmond in 1809. She had a long rivalry with another Yorkshire mare named Thomasina, winning three of their five meetings. Paulina was retired to stud where she became the female-line ancestor of many important winners including Andover and Sir Tatton Sykes.