-^ Institution and Early Growth 



was the Billingbear Stakes of lOO guineas, and was won 

 by the Duke of Rutland's Medora, the winner of the 

 Oaks. She was a hot favourite at 5 to i on. 



Sport was suspended after this race while Marshal 

 Blucher, accompanied by the Duke of York and Mr. Lake, 

 rode down the lines of booths, a difficult matter owing to 

 the pressure of the crowd. Again the gallant Marshal was 

 greeted on all sides with exuberant cheering, the ladies 

 waving their handkerchiefs, while those near seized his 

 hands and shook them. The Gold Cup was a fine race. 

 There were seven starters, Mr. Balson's bay mare Prantes 

 pulling off the victory. When the royal visitors left it was 

 with difficulty that the crowd were restrained from taking 

 the horses out of the carriage and pulling the occupants to 

 Windsor Castle. 



A change was made in 18 18 in the race for the King's 

 Guineas ; instead of hunters, it was run for by racers, and 

 decided in one heat, 



Mr. Calley's Champignon scored well in the 1820 

 meeting, carrying off the Oatlands Stakes of 30 guineas, 

 for which 16 declared forfeit and paid 10 guineas each, 

 and also coming in first for the Gold Cup in an exciting 

 race. 7 to 4 was laid on the Duke of York's Banker, 

 and any odds against Alpha, but the Banker could not 

 stand the pace, and although coming in a good second. 

 Champignon was victorious by a length. After the Oat- 

 lands Stakes, Champignon became the property of Mr. 

 Fraser. 



Following the races a fight was held in front of the 

 betting stand, which was crowded, between a man named 

 Lilley, and Gardner, a fellow of superior weight. The 



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