N these pages the authors believe they are presenting the first complete history of the Ascot Race Meeting that has ever been compiled. They have, of course, referred to all the standard works relative to the subject, and have also fortunately been in a position which allowed them free access to records which are closed to the general public. Moreover, in many instances, information which they could not otherwise have obtained has been most courteously placed at their disposal by private individuals. To these their best thanks are due.