Henley Royal Regatta 1854

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In any sport there are particularly significant events and venues which have great importance. For tennis junkies the venue is Wimbledon and the event the Lawn Tennis Association Championships. For National Hunt racing fans it is Aintree and the Grand National, whilst for Flat racing enthusiasts it is Epsom and The Derby. However, for rowing there are two events, the University Boat Race and the Royal Regatta, yet in the beginning just one important venue, Henley-on-Thames.
The inaugural University Boat race took place in 1829 at Henley-on-Thames. It was the brainchild of a Cambridge student, Charles Merivale who, at the time, was a student at St Johns College. His great friend Charles Wordsworth was a student at Christ Church College, Oxford and it was to be the dark blues of Oxford who easily defeated their light blue rivals. Today the race takes place between Putney and Mortlake and, to date, Cambridge have recorded more wins than Oxford.
The first Henley Regatta was held in 1839 when amateur rowers contested races on one afternoon. The day was so successful that in 1840 the event was extended to two days, and by 1851 it was so popular that Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, attended so enabling the annual event to be called Henley Royal Regatta for the first time. The event has grown in popularity ever since, and this site records the results of the main races since its inception.

The University Boat Race
1854       8th April                 Oxford                  25 mins 29 secs 7 lengths              Cambridge 7 Oxford 5
STEWARDS CHALLENGE CUP GRAND CHALLENGE CUP TOWN CHALLENGE CUP
Pembroke College, Oxford Trinity First, Cambridge Defiance Boat Club, Wargrave

Lady Margaret BC, Cambridge

9 mins 38 secs

Wadham College, Oxford

8 mins 15 secs 2 lengths

Henley Boat Club

Easily
DOUBLE SCULLS CHALLENGE CUP DIAMOND CHALLENGE SCULLS SILVER GOBLETS
This race was first instituted in 1939. H H Playford, Wandle Club W F Short/E Cadogan, New/Christs

The race was introduced to mark the Centenary Regatta.

 

R C Galton, Trinity Cambridge

Won on foul

J C Swaine/D Craven, St Johns Cambridge

9 mins 36 secs Easily
LADIES´ CHALLENGE PLATE VISITORS CHALLENGE CUP DISTRICT CHALLENGE CUP (Trophy not as shown)
Trinity First, Cambridge Lady Margaret BC, Cambridge Event withdrawn in 1847

Wadham College, Oxford

7 mins 55 secs 1/2 length

Pembroke College, Oxford

8 mins 48 secs 2 lengths

 
THAMES CHALLENGE CUP WYFOLD CHALLENGE CUP LOCAL AMATEUR SCULLERS RACE (Trophy not as shown)
Race instituted in 1868 Race instituted in 1855 T Piper, Caversham

 

 

E J Giles, Henley

Easily
The domination of Oxford University Boat Club in the main event finally ended when Trinity First captured the title. The Town Challenge Cup was contested for the first time for a number of years. The Local Amateur Scullers Race, previously called the Silver Wherry, becomes the Silver Cup.
PRINCESS ELIZABETH CHALLENGE CUP The Local Amateur Scullers Race was also known as Silver Wherry.
This race was instituted in 1946. The District Goblets for Pairs was to take place between 1858 and 1867.
In the first year the race took place over a mile. The Presentation Cup for Fours without Cox was to take place between 1869 and 1872.
The full course was used in 1947 and by 1964 Foreign schools were allowed entry.  
 
TEMPLE CHALLENGE CUP FAWLEY CHALLENGE CUP PRINCE ALBERT CHALLENGE CUP
This event was first contested in 1990. This event first took place in 1992. This event was first staged in 2004.
The race is for male eights. The race is for junior boys quads. The race is for Mens coxed fours.
REMENHAM CHALLENGE CUP PRINCESS ROYAL CHALLENGE CUP PRINCESS GRACE CHALLENGE CUP
This event was first staged in 2003. This event was first staged in 1992. This race was first instituted in 2003.
The race is for Womens eights. The race is for Women´s singles. The event is named after Princess Grace of Monaco.
If you have photos, racecards, badges, or newspaper cuttings about Henley Royal Regatta this year which could enhance this page then email johnslusar@fsmail.net