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 1854 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 BROCKET Alfred Day 4-8st 4lbs Mr B Way 15/1
2 KING OF TRUMPS Cartwright 5-9st 0lbs Mr R Harrison 20/1
3 THE EMPEROR colt Nat Flatman 4-8st 2lbs Lord Chesterfield 100/7
4 ALEMBEE Rickards 3-6st 7lbs Lord Clifden 2/1 fav
5 LASCELLES Whitehouse 4-8st 12lbs Mr R E Cooper 33/1
6 PRIME MINISTER Charles Marlow 6-8st 12lbs Mr Mather 33/1
7 CATHERINE HAYES S Rogers 4-8st 7lbs Lord John Scott 100/6
8 MENTMORE LASS Charlton 4-8st 2lbs Baron Rothschild 33/1
9 EXACT H Goater 4-8st 2lbs Mr Merry 33/1
10 NERVOUS Crouch 4-7st 9lbs Mr Combe 33/1
11 GREY TOMMY J Mann 5-7st 7lbs Mr Drinkald 33/1
12 KING PEPIN Wells 5-7st 6lbs Mr Howard 10/1
13 TORMENTOR Plumb 3-7st 4lbs Sir W Booth 33/1
14 CROSSLANES S Steggles 3-7st 4lbs Captain Lane 33/1
15 NICOTINE Heffer 4-6st 12lbs Lord Exeter 100/7
16 SANDHURST Carroll 4-6st 12lbs Mr Magenis 5/1
17 HUMBOLDT Garvey 3-6st 10lbs Mr Bradshaw 33/1
18 LITTLE TOM Cliff 4-6st 10lbs Mr G Munro 33/1
19 SWIFTSURE Corderay 3-6st 9lbs Mr J Adkins 12/1
20 HERMITAGE Bundy 3-6st 0lbs Mr J Arnold 33/1
21 MANDRICARDO J Steggles 3-5st 12lbs Mr Greville 12/1
22 JEPHSON Olliver 3-5st 12lbs Mr Night 33/1
This race took place on Wednesday 14th June 1854 and was won by a bay colt by Melbourne out of Miss Slick, winning a first prize of 910 sovereigns from 61 subscriptions (equivalent to £102,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 139%
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap 1 mile 1843
      1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849
1850 1851 1852 1853 1854