ASCOT RACECOURSE
KEY DATES
Summer, 1711
1793
It was Queen Anne who first saw the potential for a racecourse at Ascot, which in those days was called East Cote. Whilst out riding she came upon an area of open heath, not far from Windsor Castle, that looked an ideal place for “horses to gallop at full stretch.”
The first permanent building was erected by George Slingsby, a Windsor builder. It held 1,650 people and was used until 1838.
1807
Charles, Duke of Somerset instructed Sir William Wyndham, Master of the Royal Buckhounds, to have the open heath cleared of scrub and gorse in preparation for a race meeting.
The inaugural running of the Gold Cup for three-year-olds and upwards. It is significant that the first Gold Cup was won by a three-year-old, this was an event designed to attract horses bred to compete much younger than had been the case the previous century. In the modern era, three-year-olds do not run in the race.
11 August 1711
1813
June, 1711
The first race meeting ever held at Ascot took place. Her Majesty’s Plate, worth 100 guineas and open to any horse, mare or gelding over the age of six, was the inaugural event. Each horse was required to carry a weight of 12st and seven runners took part.
Parliament passed an Act of Enclosure. This Act ensured that Ascot Heath, although the property of the Crown, would be kept and used as a racecourse for the public in the future. Racing at Ascot was now secure. The Master of the Buckhounds continued to manage the races and the racecourse – just as it was more than 100 years before.
September 17, 1711
The success of Her Majesty’s Plate in August meant the second meeting followed soon after in September.
1820
George III died and the Prince Regent ascended the throne as George IV. He immediately ordered alterations to be made to the Royal Stand by John Nash. Nash’s alterations did not satisfy the King and so, in 1822, Nash designed a brand new Royal Stand, erected in just five weeks.
July 31, 1727
John Cheny published a prototype form book, which evolved into the Racing Calendar, recording the conditions of each race and the prize.
1822
1744
The Royal Enclosure was born when King George IV commissioned a two-storey stand to be built with a surrounding lawn. Access was by invitation of the King where he entertained his friends in style.
The Yeoman Prickers were formed. Employed by the Master of the Buckhounds, their distinctive livery of forest green coats with gold facings are worn today by the Ascot Greencoats, who attend Royal Ascot each year.
1825
1752
King George IV’s greatest legacy to Royal Ascot was the Royal Procession. The King leading four other coaches with members of the Royal party drove up the Straight Mile in front of the crowds. A diarist of the day commented; ‘the whole thing looked very splendid’.
The popularity of attending the racing at Ascot was becoming apparent in social circles, prompting the Duke of Bedford to write that when arriving in London ‘I could find no soul to dine or sup with’.
1762
1837
The first use of racing colours was introduced, although it wasn’t mandatory for another two decades.
Turf on the track was relaid by the Clerk of the Course, William Hibburd, to improve the ground. Rails and posts were constructed along the track.
1768 The first four-day meeting took place.
1838
Queen Victoria made her first visit to Ascot as Sovereign. To mark her first visit, the Queen inaugurated a new race over one and a half miles, known today as the Queen’s Vase (now two miles).
1773
James Weatherby, Keeper of the Match Book (the book of records for match races), was authorised by the Jockey Club to publish a racing calendar. James Weatherby began a family firm, still in existence today. Weatherbys are the secretariat of horse racing in Britain.
1838 Horses were numbered in the racecard.
July, 1838
June, 1791
A decision was made to construct a new stand between the betting stand and the Royal Stand. The new stand took 10 months to build and was warmly welcomed when it opened on May 20, 1839. The lower half of the stand could hold about 3,000 people and contained a betting hall.
The Oatlands Stakes was run at Ascot – an important landmark race as it was the first handicap race, where the weights of the runners were adjusted according to their form to give them, in theory, equal chances.
74