Royal Ascot: Royal Hunt Cup

The Royal Hunt Cup was established in 1843, originally contested on a right-handed course over 7 furlongs and 166 yards, although the race's distance was shortened to 7 furlongs and 155 yards in 1930, but was then extended to its present length in 1956. It is now run on a straight course on the second day of the Royal meeting, and usually features a large field. It is one of three perpetual trophies at the meeting, along with the Gold Cup and the Queen's Vase, which can be kept permanently by the winning owners.
Early history:- The inaugural running took place on Wednesday 14th June 1843 when won by Lord Chesterfield's Knight of the Whistle (5/1), with a triple dead-heat for second between Lord Milltown's Bourra Tomacha (20/1), Mr Balchin's Epaulette (20/1) and Colonel Peel's Garry Owen (12/1).
Royal Hunt Cup 1846 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 LEACONFIELD Carter 3-5st 12lbs Mr W S Stanley 15/1
2 IRONMASTER Denman 4-8st 6lbs Mr A W Hill 13/1
3 COLLEEN BAWN Duffo 4-7st 5lbs Lord Milltown 10/1
4 THE CURE Jem Robinson 5-9st 7lbs Mr Robertson 15/1
5 EVENUS F Butler 6-9st 5lbs Mr Merton 33/1
6 LIGHTNING Simon Templeman 5-8st 11lbs Mr Meiklam 33/1
7 ARISTOTLE Cartwright aged-8st 11lbs Mr Meiklam 33/1
8 WOOD PIGEON S Mann 4-8st 6lbs Lord Exeter 5/1 fav
9 THE DEVIL TO PAY S Day 5-8st 5lbs Mr E Dyson 20/1
10 BEAUMONT Whitehouse 5-7st 13lbs Lord Albemarle 10/1
11 QUEEN POMARE Nat Flatman 4-7st 7lbs Sir R W Bulkeley 10/1
12 ADVOCATE gelding Crouch 5-7st 7lbs Mr Godwin 33/1
13 SIR HERCULES filly Wakefield 4-7st 5lbs Sir S Spry 33/1
14 MONARCH mare W Howlett 5-7st 7lbs Mr Thompson 33/1
15 ROWLAND HILL G Simpson 4-7st 3lbs Colonel Anson 10/1
16 GANNET Jem Chapple 4-7st 0lbs Count Batthyany 12/1
17 YOUNG ECLIPSE Esling 4-7st 0lbs Mr Watts 33/1
18 PHOENIX colt J Evans 3-6st 12lbs Mr Mostyn 10/1
19 NELL COOK J Sharpe 3-6st 2lbs Lord Albemarle 33/1
20 FARTHING CANDLE Alfred Day 3-6st 0lbs Mr Drinkald 10/1
21 REGALIA W Hutchinson 3-5st 7lbs Mr King 33/1
This race took place on Wednesday 10th June 1846 and was won by a chestnut colt by Hampton out of a Muley Moloch mare, winning a first prize of 510 sovereigns from 41 subscriptions (equivalent to £60,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 128%
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap 1 mile 1843
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