The racecard presented to Emperor Nicholas I of Russia on the occasion of his first visit to Ascot on Gold Cup Day 6th June 1844, a special edition of

The racecard presented to Emperor Nicholas I of Russia on the occasion of his first visit to Ascot on Gold Cup Day 6th June 1844, a special edition of Wetton's Authentic Card of Ascot Races with wide, decorative embossed margins, the reverse with manuscript annotation reading THIS CARD WAS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE EMPEROR NICHOLAS OF RUSSIA WHEN HE WAS PRESENT AT ASCOT RACES JUNE 6th 1844, further inscribed with details that it was presented by a friend of the Emperor to an individual at Windsor Castle In 1844 Nicholas I of Russia was making a state visit to England and attended Ascot Races on Gold Cup day. That year's winner was unnamed at the time of his victory, but he was given the name 'The Emperor' in honour of the visiting monarch. In return Nicholas offered a new trophy for the race - the 'Emperor's Plate' - and this became the title of the event for a short period. Its original name was restored after nine years, during the Crimean War.