3-028-710 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Race for the Grand Prix de Paris: the winner led to the weighing place, 1870. 'The attendance this year was even more numerous than on previous occasions, especially in the enceinte du pesage, or weighing inclosure, where it was quite impossible to obtain even standing-room on the Grand Stand. Our Illustration represents the return of the winner to the weighing-room, which is situated on the ground floor of the Jockey Club tribune, in front of which both horse and rider were vigorously cheered by a fashionable crowd. Nor did their enthusiasm end here; for no sooner had the jockey left his saddle than he was surrounded by a score or two of people, all of whom insisted on shaking his hand, in spite of his endeavours to reach the scales; and the reeking mare, which listened quietly enough to all the noise, was stroked and patted by everyone, until the trainer managed to get her away under the escort of three or four sergens-de-ville'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.