Royal Ascot 



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1773 we find a number of regulations were enforced. 

 H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester remained Lord Warden 

 of Windsor Forest, and the title of the meeting was altered 

 to "Windsor Races, Ascot Heath." The time of the 

 commencement of racing was altered from one o'clock to 

 five o'clock, and it was arranged that all horses had to enter 

 on Tuesday, June Sth, at Sunninghill Wells, between the 

 hours of three and eight in the afternoon, and produce 

 certificates of age, and pay an entrance fee of 3 guineas 

 and a fee of 5s. to the Clerk of the Course, or double at 

 the post. The winners each day to pay i guinea for 

 weights, scales, etc., and to run according to King's Plate 

 Articles, and to be governed according to the articles which 

 were then produced. 



The course presented a picturesque appearance, the 

 naturally beautiful landscape being dotted over with canvas 

 booths and tent-like buildings. There were no permanent 

 grand stands in those days, and the lack was made up by 

 large booths with galleries, which in the majority of cases 

 were put up by private speculators paying a fee of 2 guineas 

 to the prize fund. The other booths were devoted to 

 gambling, drinking, etc., their owners paying i guinea to 

 the fund. The business of looking after the building and 

 allotting of space was an onerous one, and two officers — 

 Messrs. Spencer and Nunn — were appointed to superintend 

 matters. Amonsfst other res^ulations we find a notice in 

 1777 asking "those having booths not to begin building 

 until the horses are entered, except the booth for the Grand 

 Stand, which was not to be appropriated to the benefit of 

 the plates, and was to be built a fortnight before the 

 races." 



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