The Sun.
London, England, 1830-05-26 00:00:00

EPSOM RACES

These races commenced yesterday. As usual upon the
first day, the attendance of company was rather thin, not-
withstanding the promise of good sport afforded by six or
-even races, including some celebrated horses. No doubt
the unfavourable weather kept many away. The morning,
which was one of great promise, was followed by a coil
and rainy noon. Nevertheless, not a few votaries of sport
defied the uncertainty of an English summer, and made
their appearance upon the field early. The road between
London and Epsom exhibited many motley groups, princi-
pally consisting of sutlers bearing all sorts of provisions
and refections. It was also crowded with gipsies, Bavarian
broom girls, Italian boys carrying monkies much akin to
themselves in gesticulation and appearance, barouches and
four, with their loads of pretty women, and tax carts filled
with lumber. The roads and turf were in excellent order
after the late showers, and till within an haur of noon the
appearance of things was highly encouraging and ani-
mating. On reaching the downs we observed a busy
scene—persons employed in constructing booths and
laying the foundation of temporary hells and canvas pur-
gatories. The most striking object was the Grand Stand.
It would be difficult to conceive any building better
adapted for its purpose, or which unites the qualities of
beauty and utility more completely than this. It is at
once elegant and substantial. The front presents a
peculiarly beautiful appearance, and the balconies for view-
ing the races, which are attached to it, are most commo-
dious. Of the interior arrangements it is impossible to
speak too highly : —there is a magnificent saloon, extend-
ing the entire length of the building, 120 feet long by
40 in width. In addition to this, there are apartments
for members of the Jockey Club, a betting room, retiring
rooms, and a commanding stand on the leads of the build-
ing. The basement story contains kitchens and places for
the reception of carriages anti horses. All the apartments
are approached by convenient staircases and passages. A
good band of instrumental music is stationed in the
saloon, where refreshments are provided at charges moderate
enough, considering their quality. The stand was visited.
in the course of the day, by the Duke of Portland, the Earl
of Uxbridge, Lord Ranelagh, Lord Errol, Earl Sefton,
Hon. E. Petre, General Grosvenor, Sir J. Fraser, the
Earl of Derby, the Duke of Richmond, Lord Lowther,
Lord G. Bentinck, the Duke of Grafton, Lord Chesterfield,
Lord Mountcharles, Lord Manners, &c.
The first race was that for the Craven stakes; it was
won easily by the Colonel, his Majesty's horse Harold
coming in second, Mr. Gully's Clio third, and Cetus (pur-
chased by Sir M. Wood for 3,000 guineas) fourth. For
the Shirley stakes it was a dead hest between Mr.
Cooper's black colt, out of Prima Donna, and Mr. Crouch's
Jenny Vertpre, and the stakes were divided.
To-morrow the Stand Committee give a silver cup,
value 50 guineas, for a two-mile heat of all ages. This
is a new race. The cup, which is a very beautiful piece
of workmanship, has been made by Mr. Cockburn, of
Richmond.

Towards the close of the day the sun came out, and the
scene became cheering. Should there be a continuance of
fine weather, very excellent sport and a good meeeting
may be expected to•morrow. The Epsom people have
been making arrangements for such a result on a most ex-
tensive scale. Mmy, and some of them of a higher class
than would be considered likely to submit to the incon-
venience, have removed from their residences for the pur-
pose of making room for liberally-paying visiters.