Royal Ascot 



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four horses answered the bell for the Emperor's Plate. 

 RussborouQfh bein^ scratched at the eleventh hour, Wool- 

 wich, Little Jack, Trouncer, and Windischgratz started. 

 The Little 'Un made the running, but at the straight, 

 coming home, Woolwich came abreast of him, and although 

 they were together at the Grand Stand, Woolwich shot 

 ahead and won cleverly by a length. 



Still carrying on their scheme of improvements, the 

 Trustees had this year turned their attention to the wants 

 of the increased business, and erected a new Secretary's 

 Bureau, and various cloak-rooms and other necessary 

 offices, which materially added to the comfort of their 

 patrons. Mr. Hibburd, the Clerk of the Course and 

 Secretary, had been indefatigable in his efforts to do any- 

 and every-thing that could help on the prosperity and the 

 fame of Ascot, and it was only when Death found him in 

 harness at the end of the year 1851, that he was forced 

 to give up his labours. He had been materially helped by 

 his wife in all his work, and it speaks very highly for her 

 capabilities that the Trustees should confirm her appoint- 

 ment as Housekeeper and Secretary after her husband's 

 death. Her son, Mr. Edward Hibburd, was appointed 

 Clerk of the Course in his father's stead. 



Convulsion won the Ascot Derby in 1852, and the 

 victor's name was not inappropriate to the meeting. On 

 Cup Day ladies waded to their carriages ankle deep 

 in mud, their draperies besmirched with rain and slush ; 

 the police were muffled up in oilskins, and the general 

 public was drenched. The inevitable dog caused convul- 

 sions by running across the course in front of Red Hind, 

 the favourite for the Ascot Derby, and upsetting both 



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