Royal Ascot ^ 



made for home, and Lord Maryborough declared that never 

 again should there be heats for a plate. And there were 

 no more at Ascot. 



In the " Memoirs " of Mr. C. C. Greville, some very 

 interesting sidelights are thrown on the racing at Ascot. 

 In his official capacity of Clerk to the Council, a position 

 he held under three sovereigns, he had abundant opportunity 

 of coming in contact with the leading men of his day, 

 and his comments on men and events are both entertaining 

 and instructive. Referring to the race meeting of 1829, 

 he records that he "went to Stoke for the Ascot Races. 

 There was such a crowd to see the Cup run for as was 

 never seen before. The King was there, anxious and 

 disappointed, I bought the winner for Lord Chesterfield, 

 two hours before the race, he having previously asked the 

 King's leave, which he gave with many gracious expressions. 

 The King has bought seven horses successively, for which 

 he has paid 11,300 guineas, principally to win the Cup 

 at Ascot, which he has never accomplished. He might 

 have had Zinganee but would not, because he fancied the 

 Colonel would beat him. But when that appeared doubtful, 

 he was very sorry the horse was not brought him, and 

 complained it had not been offered to him." 



We must go back a few years to mention the Royal 

 Stand that was erected in 1822. The stand built by 

 Mr. Slingsby had proved so successful, that it was felt 

 that a permanent stand for the King and Royal Family 

 should be made. Accordingly, under the direction of 

 Mr. Perkins, and from designs by Mr. Nash, a building was 

 quickly erected, consisting of two stories, each story being 

 divided into two compartments. The lower floor was 



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