Royal Ascot 



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some years previously. A match for 500 guineas, 4 miles, 

 between the Duke of Cumberland's Ceesar and Mr. 

 Jenning's Count evoked much interest, the betting being 

 2 to I on Count. The race resulted, however, in a smart 

 win for the Duke. On the Friday still more enthusiasm 

 was evinced, when a match was run between Mr. C. 

 Pigott's Hottentot and Lord March's Rosalba for 200 

 guineas over the same course. The betting was 6 to 4 

 on Rosalba, and it proved a most exciting race, for 

 throughout there was hardly a pin to choose between 

 the horses. While running home, however, the Hottentot 

 obtained a little advantage and passed the post half 

 a neck in front of his opponent. 



In 1789 a cup of the value of 60 guineas, added to 

 a subscription of 50 guineas, half forfeit, 11 st. each, ridden 

 by owners, six subscribers, was won by Lord Barrymore's 

 Tongs, by Florizel. Count Melfort's gr. g., by Magog, 

 came in first, but owing to the Count having crossed, it 

 was decided in favour of his Lordship. The King and 

 Queen, with a grand retinue, including the Prince of 

 Wales, the Dukes of Clarence, York, and Cumberland, and 

 the Royal Princesses were present throughout the meeting. 



As we study the gradual development of the Berkshire 

 heath as a racing centre, it is interesting to notice in 

 passing, some of the innovations that were made. For 

 instance, previous to 1 783 the riders dressed as they liked 

 and how they liked ; as a result, confusion was constantly 

 arising, and to obviate this a rule was made for the greater 

 certainty of distinguishing riders, requiring each to declare 

 at the time of entering the colour he would ride in, that 

 it might be inserted in the printed papers. 



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