3-008-694 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The new racecourse at Fontainebleau, [France], 1862. 'The new racecourse...is most picturesquely situated in the Valley de la Solle... The landscape, made up of a rich arborical verdure, elegant toilets, handsome equipages, abundant military costumes of all descriptions, a select public, and animated by the presence of the Emperor, was on the "opening day" most lively and curious. His Majesty, as well as the Empress, seemed quite at home in their elegant little pavilion, placed between the two stands intended for the elite, and to which five francs obtained admission. A larger stand, on the left-hand side of our Illustration, commanded an equally good view of the sandy racecourse, but the price of entrance to this tribune, as it is called, was at a much lower figure...during the Military Hurdle-race, a deplorable accident occurred, whereby M. Manor, Captain in the Chasseurs, had his leg broken in three places through falling at one of the leaps...It is said that in future such races, for unprofessional riders, will be discontinued, as they must always be attended with considerable danger'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.