Royal Ascot "^ 



the time of running at some publick house within three 

 miles of the said course ; and all horses, etc., to be plated 

 by some smith that lives within that distance. 



" All disputes for this plate, relating either to entering 

 or running, to be determin'd by the majority of the sub- 

 scribers there present. 



" There will be Ordinaries each day, at Sunninghill 

 Wells, at one o'clock." 



The commencement of the popularity of Ascot as the 

 royal race course dates from this period. William August 

 Duke of Cumberland, the third son of George II., was a 

 great patron of the Turf, and Ascot particularly came in 

 for his favour. After the battle of Culloden in 1745, 

 when, although only twenty-five years of age, he defeated 

 the remn.ints of the followers of the Pretender, and gained 

 for himself the title of " Hero" or " Butcher" of Culloden 

 (according to individual proclivity and taste), he was 

 appointed Ranger of Windsor Forest, and then had an 

 opportunity to devote himself to the sport he loved, and 

 to gather together the best stock, best blood, and most 

 numerous stud in the Kingdom. Under his protecting 

 care Ascot assumed a position of importance and attracted 

 all the fashionable circles of the day, and an impetus was 

 given to horse racing throughout the country. The Duke 

 of Cumberland was breeder of the famous sire, King Kerod, 

 and still more celebrated Eclipse, and by his judgment 

 and exertions in effecting beneficial crosses, achieved many 

 improvements in blood horses. In his efforts to revive 

 racing in this country the Duke was the victim of tremen- 

 dous losses to the sharks and blacklegs by whom he was 

 surrounded, and the difficulties, incredible expenses, and 



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