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 1848 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 CONYNGHAM Jem Robinson 4-8st 5lbs Sir R Pigot 12/1
2 DULCET Alfred Day 6-7st 13lbs Mr Drinkald 7/1
3 COSACHIA G Sharp 4-6st 6lbs Lord Exeter 6/1
4 SIR TATTON SYKES F Butler 5-8st 13lbs Mr Kennedy 6/1
5 THE CUR S Rogers 6-8st 9lbs Mr Rolt 8/1
6 COLLINGWOOD H Bell 5-8st 9lbs Mr Rolt 33/1
7 CHANTICLEER Bartholomew 5-8st 7lbs Mr Merry 9/1
8 SHARSTON W Oates 5-7st 10lbs Mr Worthington 5/1 fav
9 BURLESQUE S Mann 5-7st 10lbs Sir G Heathcote 33/1
10 BROCARDO Crouch 5-7st 7lbs Lord Strathmore 33/1
11 CLEMENTINA Nat Flatman 4-7st 4lbs Mr John Payne 8/1
12 BRIDLE R Pettit 4-7st 3lbs Duke of Bedford 7/1
13 TROUNCER J Sharp 4-7st 2lbs Mr Combe 33/1
14 SUTLEJ George Abdale 6-7st 0lbs Count Batthyany 33/1
15 VOLLEY Esling 3-6st 10lbs Mr Drewitt 33/1
16 SAGACITY Pearl 4-6st 6lbs Lord Clifden 33/1
17 KIMBLESWORTH Donaldson 4-6st 3lbs Mr Gascoigne 33/1
18 MARIE LOUISE J Brown 4-6st 0lbs Mr Douglas 100/6
19 EMBRACE G Brown 3-5st 0lbs Mr T Hussey 33/1
This race took place on Wednesday 7th June 1848 and was won by a bay colt by Slane out of a Whisker mare, winning a first prize of 530 sovereigns from 33 subscriptions (equivalent to £63,500 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 141%
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap 1 mile 1843
      1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848