The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-05 00:00:00

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

ASCOT RACES.
TUESDAY.

Royal Ascot this year commenced under the most bril-
liant auspices, the attendance being of the most aristocratic
character, and the weather truly delightful. The heath
was honoured by the presence of the Prince of Wales
and party from Cliveden, whore his royal highness is
staying for the race week. The general attendance was
decidedly the largest ever witnessed on the opening day,
and the rank and fashion in the carriages and stands were
of the usual exclusive character. The enclosure and stand
were crowded to excess ; and the presence of a military
band, playing some lively music at intervals between the
races, considerably enhanced the effect of the scene. Since
the spring gathering, at the suggestion of the large specu-
lators, an important alteration has been made in the ring
by the apportionment of a space at the Royal Stand
end for the exclusive use of the members of the
Clubs and Tattersall'e, the heavy charge of ono sovereign
. being leyied on those desiring the privilege. Notwith-
standing that the large number of 505 availed themselves
of this advantage, there was much dissatisfaction gene-
rally expressed at .the arrangement, as many gentlemen
of the highest position and respectability were thus
excluded from betting with the large bookmakers. The
card of the opening day was of the most elaborate descrip-
tios, no less than eight valuable races beingset for decision,
and with such horses as Vauban, Marksman, and Achieve-
ment to contest them, and confirm or reverse the truthful-
ness of the Derby and Oaks runnimr, was sufficient in itself
yt,h
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to render the day most remarkable and important. Cecrops,
eMitieruiloessie;ening day has formerly been looked upon as the Ascot
Stakes day ; but in importance that race has been quite
superseded by the Prince of Wales Stakes for three-year
olds, colt and fillies, of 50 sovs each, with the munificent
sum of 1,000 added; and the race cannot be inappropriately
looked upon as the " Ascot Derby." The racing com-
menced at one o'clock with the Trial Stakes over the New
Mile, 16 of the 20 coloured being weighed for, but Veno-
mous succeeding in throwing her jockey, and not going to
the post, exactly the same number as last year faced the
starter. Ostreger, great horse though he is at the distance,
was asked to do too much when called upon to concede
of
nearly sst. to some of the two-year-olds, but despite this
he was made favourite at 3to 1. As on the last anniver-
sary,pretty race with the Catawba filly. This
was the winner's first appearance in public, having been
—wh o thefurni issuest was
furnished
a in favour an outsider—BlaSk Diamond
purchased by Mr. Merry for 700 guineas at the last year-
ling sale at Eltham, where he had been bred by Mr. Illenk-
iron. After the first blush of his victory 25,000 to 250
was laid against him for the Derby of nett year. He was
claime'd by Mr. John Day, whose representative was claimed
and,t
last
the owner of Ostreger, who ran into third place. This
race
ivahsitchanangiavienrsary,
pro-
duced an immense
made a tremendous "pot" in Rosicrucian, own brother*to
was followed
The Palmer. At. the close 4to 1 was accepted about him,
a similar price being also taken about Banditto. The next
in demand were Mr. Briggs and Charnwood. The greatest
excitement was manifested in the Prince of wales Stakes,
which induced to go to the post a (keen runners, including
byfiel the
d, Maiden
ason Plate,
Vauban, Achievement, Marksman, and Van Amburgh.
The second in the Derby was steered by
Fordham
riding his favourite son Of Muscovite, while Custance was
released from the mount of Achievement and rode
Julius, Challoner being entrusted with the " chevrons."
Seville was started with the express perpose of forcing
the pace for Vauban, and, true to her mission, she
slipped her horses the moment the flag was lowered,
and led them along at a cracking pa".
Vauban took
up the running immediately after leaving the s winiey
Course, and was n 3 ver afterwards headed. Achievement
looked formidable on entering the straight, but at the hill
she was pumped out, and Vauban, galloping as strong as
possible, won by 10 lengths, Fordham the while patting
the neck of the Danebury horse.• Marksman was defeated
some distance; in fact, he was nearly as far behind the
mare as in the Champagne Stakes. It is a somewhat re-
markable coincidence that the Duke of Beaufort won this
identical race last year with Rustic, after the son of Stock-
well and Village Lass had, like Vauban, run third for the
Derby. For the Queen's Stand Plate there were nine
runners, Speculum being selected as favourite at 5 to 2,
while the celebrated nailer Cecrops was backed at 5 to 1,
Xi being the next in demand at 100 to 15. Mrs. Stratton
was also backed for a lot of money. The race was a good
one, and won by dint of sheer gameness by Cecrops by a
head. Of the 21 coloured for the Ascot Stakes, 17 went
to the post, Lord Westmorland furnishing a very hot fayou-