-9^ 



Institution and Early Growth 



Tartar mare. Thus was originated the race for that highly 

 prized trophy — the Cup — which in 1807 was raised to the 

 dignity of The Gold Cup, and has now become of such 

 high repute that many owners would rather win it than 

 any other race, however richly endowed. 



In these good old days highwaymen and footpads played 

 rare havoc on the high roads, and the wealthy patrons of 

 Ascot were game worth a deal of risk. It is no wonder 

 then that hardly a day passed but some one was stopped 

 and robbed. As an instance of this, two ladies on their 

 way home in a post chaise a week after the races were 

 stopped by two young highwaymen, who relieved them of 

 their money, watches, and valuables, and so much frightened 

 them that one became unconscious. It is interesting to 

 know, however, that in this instance the robbers were caught, 

 their horses, which they had turned loose on finding them- 

 selves pursued, having helped to indicate their whereabouts. 

 This episode gives a poor idea of the chivalry supposed to 

 belong to the highwayman, but another instance in 1774, at 

 any rate, shows pluck. A young fellow, very indifferently 

 mounted and alone, "held up" the Wokingham machine 

 about two miles from the " Shoulder of Mutton," and took 

 about ^10 from two gentlemen, but handing back the 

 contents of a lady's purse containing some 20s. to its 

 owner. He was caught on the course the next day, and 

 committed to gaol. 



It has been said that festivities and balls were an 

 important adjunct to the racing proper, and this was increased 

 as years went by. Gambling and gaming, too, brought a 

 very mixed public to the neighbourhood, but with it all the 

 importance of the Ascot Meeting was increasing ; and in 



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