Royal Ascot 



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On the lawns and in the stands comments were frequent 

 on the improved appearance of the Official Race Card. 

 Instead of being a large and awkward flat card, it was 

 printed in the shape of a book, somewhat similar to that 

 used to-day. As showing the advance, even in so small 

 a matter as the printing of the programme, it is interesting 

 to remember that, in 1827, when Lord Maryborough was 

 Master of the Buckhounds, and Mr. John Seeker, the 

 Town Clerk of Windsor, was also Clerk and Treasurer 

 of the Race Fund, there were three kinds of cards 

 printed, an arrangement, which besides being clumsy and 

 unsatisfactory, was very unfair to the general pubHc, who 

 had to be satisfied with a very small and incomplete 

 notice of the events. Such particulars as could be 

 obtained were indeed given, and the colours were stated 

 as far as possible, but no reliance could be placed on their 

 accuracy, for the reason that no penalty was exacted for 

 not declaring colours. The occupants of the Royal Stand 

 fared better. About a dozen larger cards were printed 

 for them, with space left for the colours to be inserted. 

 These particulars were written in by the Secretary, from 

 information received from the Judge, after the jockeys had 

 weighed. A special slip card, with each race printed 

 separately, and the colours and other information, added 

 in writing, was presented for the occupants of the Royal 

 Stand, by the Master of the Buckhounds, immediately 

 before each race was run. 



A great improvement to the Course was effected in 

 1889 by filling in the ditch on the south side, and by the 

 erection of new kitchen and servants' offices, and more 

 accommodation for the police. 



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