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 1876 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 HOPBLOOM Hopkins Charles Blanton 3-6st 0lbs Sir J D Astley 25/1
2 DALHAM Fred Webb Robert Peck 5-8st 6lbs Duke of Westminster 100/6
3 THORN John Osborne Osborne 6-9st 4lbs Mr R N Batt 25/1
4 COERULEUS Maidment Joseph Hayhoe 4-8st 12lbs Mr A Baltazzi 10/1
5 GUNNER Charles Wood Joseph Dawson 5-8st 7lbs Mr Trentham 25/1
6 THE GHOST Parry Charles Blanton 4-8st 6lbs Mr H Bird 33/1
7 BREECHLOADER Tom Chaloner Joseph Dawson 4-8st 5lbs Lord Fitzwilliam 100/1
8 CHAPLET H Jeffery George Bloss 4-8st 2lbs Lord Hartington 33/1
9 ECOSSAIS Mordan Tom Jennings 5-7st 13lbs Mr Tom Jennings 100/9
10 CHIEFTAIN Glover Robert L'Anson 5-7st 6lbs Mr G E Paget 100/6
11 KILLIECRANKIE Weedon John Nightingall 4-7st 6lbs Mr H Jenkins 100/1
12 THE MANDARIN Newhouse Tom Brown 4-7st 4lbs Mr Joliffe 25/1
13 HESPER Thompson Joseph Hayhoe 3-7st 4lbs Mr A Baltazzi 8/1
14 SENSATION C Archer Caswell 3-6st 13lbs Mrs Drewitt 25/1
15 TOWN CRIER C Willis John Day 4-6st 9lbs Sir F Johnstone 100/8
16 CERBERUS Luke John Dawson 3-6st 7lbs Prince Batthyany 100/1
17 LITTLE HARRY Chesterman Henry Woolcott 3-6st 6lbs Sir George Chetwynd 6/1
18 HELLENIST J Macdonnald Alec Taylor 3-6st 4lbs Lord Ailesbury 20/1
19 BRITAIN'S QUEEN Fry D Hughes 3-5st 12lbs Mr T Hughes 100/1
20 AMBERGRIS F Jeffery George Bloss 3-5st 10lbs Lord Downe 9/1
21 SPINORA Morgan Dover 3-5st 10lbs Lord Rosebery 5/1 fav
22 TURQUOISE Miley Brophy (Private) 3-5st 9lbs Mr W Brophy 50/1
This race took place on Wednesday 14th June 1876 and was won by a bay colt by Parmesan out of Cogniscence, winning a first prize of 1130 sovereigns from 83 subscriptions (equivalent to £131,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 126%
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap 1 mile 1843
      1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849
1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859
1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869
1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876