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 1881 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 PETER Fred Archer Sherrard 5-9st 3lbs Sir J D Astley 3/1 fav
2 SWORD DANCE Weston Wadlow 4-6st 9lbs Lord Bradford 100/6
3 PETRONEL Charles Wood James Jewitt 4-7st 12lbs Duke of Beaufort 100/15
4 VALOUR Fred Webb James Jewitt 6-9st 0lbs Captain Machell 20/1
5 OUT OF BOUNDS George Fordham Alec Taylor 5-7st 11lbs Mr W S Crawfurd 11/2
6 MISTAKE John Day Pincus 4-7st 7lbs Mr P Lorillard 100/6
7 ELIZABETH Luke John Dawson snr 4-7st 6lbs Mr T E Walker 20/1
8 FIDDLESTRING Morrell C Archer 6-7st 2lbs Mr A Egerton 40/1
9 SACKCLOTH Rawlinson William Goater 4-6st 8lbs Mr R Loder 100/1
10 LANCASTER BOWMAN Barrett Mathew Dawson 4-6st 8lbs Lord Hastings 33/1
11 WANDERING NUN Gallon George Bloss 3-6st 8lbs Mr H Chaplin 25/1
12 ERCILDOUNE Beech Joe Cannon 4-6st 6lbs Lord Rosebery 11/2
13 BOOKMAKER Whyhora Sherrard 3-6st 4lbs Mr J R Keen 33/1
14 NOTTINGHAM F Morris William Goater 5-6st 3lbs Mr Craven 50/1
15 KNIGHT OF BURGHLEY Crawford John Dawson snr 5-6st 3lbs Mr R C Naylor 200/1
16 FALMOUTH J Smith Hurton 5-6st 0lbs Mr F Gretton 200/1
17 ST ALBANS colt Bowman Bates 4-6st 0lbs Mr R Jardine 20/1
18 FUGITIVE Bulford James Jewitt 3-6st 0lbs Captain Machell 10/1
19 LINNAEUS Goodway Peace 3-5st 7lbs Mr Townley-Parker 33/1
20 BEN HOPE Wilton Alec Taylor 3-5st 7lbs Mr A Gordon 200/1
This race took place on Wednesday 15th June 1881 and was won by a chesnut horse by Hermit out of Lady Masham, winning a first prize of 4480 sovereigns from 79 subscriptions (equivalent to £549,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 124%
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 1877 1878 1879
1880 1881