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 1855 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 CHALICE George Fordham 3-6st 5lbs Lord Clifden 100/8
2 ORSON Ashmall 4-6st 9lbs Lord Wilton 6/1
3 IRELAND'S EYE Alfred Day 5-7st 13lbs Mr H Hill 100/6
4 VIRAGO Wells 4-9st 7lbs Mr Howard 33/1
5 TYPEE Nat Flatman 5-9st 2lbs Lord Chesterfield 33/1
6 NABOB W Day 6-9st 0lbs Lord Anglesey 33/1
7 HOSPODAR Basham 4-8st 4lbs Lord Zetland 33/1
8 THE EARLY BIRD Aldcroft 4-8st 9lbs Mr Copperthwaite 8/1
9 EPAMINONIDAS J Mann 4-7st 12lbs Captain D Lane 100/8
10 HERCULES S Steggles 4-7st 10lbs Mr T Stevens 8/1
11 HUMBOLDT Charlton 4-7st 8lbs Mr Fenning 100/7
12 VANDERDECKEN Palmer 5-7st 5lbs Mr Magenis 33/1
13 CARDIGAN Crouch 4-7st 4lbs Mr Daley 33/1
14 WILSFORD Kendall 4-7st 3lbs Mr Sargent 20/1
15 WILLIAM RUFUS Salter 5-7st 0lbs Mr Percival 33/1
16 OCTAVIA Pryor 6-7st 0lbs Mr Waller 20/1
17 NOISY Clements 3-6st 12lbs Mr J Parker 33/1
18 BRACKEN T Cliff 4-6st 11lbs Lord Derby 33/1
19 MR SYKES Corderey 5-6st 11lbs Mr James Adkins 100/6
20 FOXHUNTER Quinton 4-6st 11lbs Mr Magenis 8/1
21 PARAGONE colt J Steggles 3-6st 5lbs Mr R H Nevill 33/1
22 SWINDLER Jem Goater 3-6st 5lbs Mr J Merry 5/1 fav
23 RODO-MELI Plumb 4-6st 4lbs Mr Greville 33/1
24 DORALICE J Rogers 3-5st 6lbs Mr Greville 33/1
DNS ROEBUCK Yates 4-6st 10lbs Mr Megson 33/1
This race took place on Wednesday 6th June 1855 and was won by a bay filly by Orlando out of Crucifix, winning a first prize of 780 sovereigns from 48 subscriptions (equivalent to £85,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 148%
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap 1 mile 1843
      1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849
1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855