Royal Ascot '^ 



roof, which was leaded, afforded accommodation for [,8oo 

 visitors. 



The chief stone in the new building was "well and 

 truly laid " by the Master of the Buckhounds, the Earl of 

 Errol, on January i6th, 1839, in the presence of a numerous 

 company of ladies and gentlemen. After a reception in the 

 Royal Stand, his Lordship, accompanied by his co-trustees, 

 H. Seymour, T. R. Ward, and M. Gilbertson, Esqs., 

 Mr. Higgins, the architect, and Mr. Cuthill, the contractor, 

 repaired to the site of the new building, and, after a 

 speech by Mr. T. R. Ward, in which he stated that the 

 new stand would hold 3000 persons, all of whom would 

 have an uninterrupted view of the whole course, the noble 

 Earl laid the stone, and the company then adjourned to 

 the Jockey Club Stand, where luncheon was provided. 



The sun of fortune shone bravely on Ascot Race Course 

 in June of 1839. The Queen attended the meeting, the 

 racing was above the average, and the new Grand Stand 

 was opened to the public. Cup Day was the great day 

 of the meeting. Her Majesty, attended by a brilliant 

 suite, drove up the New Mile in full Ascot state, and upon 

 reaching the Royal Stand appeared at the window in 

 front. Her presence there in the heyday of health and 

 girlish eagerness, and with the consciousness even then of 

 her queenly position — the mother of her people — was the 

 signal for the most enthusiastic cheering, which increased more 

 and more as she graciously bowed her thanks and acknow- 

 ledgments. It was sometime ere this spontaneous expression 

 of good-will subsided, and the bell rang for the first race. 



The Gold Cup of 300 sovereigns value, added to a 

 sweepstake of 20 sovereigns each, h.ft., showed an entry 



So 



