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 1885 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 EASTERN EMPRESS J E Tomlinson Alec Taylor 4-6st 2lbs Duke of Beaufort 9/1
2 CORUNNA J Wall George Bloss 5-6st 5lbs Lord Hartington 20/1
3 FULMEN G Barrett Hopper 5-7st 9lbs Mr R C Naylor 100/9
4 MACMAHON Fred Webb Martin Gurry 5-9st 7lbs Mr Abington 20/1
5 MACBEATH A Giles T Fordham 5-9st 0lbs Mr Manton 50/1
6 SWEETBREAD Fred Archer James Jewitt 6-8st 12lbs Mr Gerard 11/2
7 THE PRINCE John Watts William A Jarvis 5-8st 12lbs Mr Adrian 40/1
8 BOULEVARD Charles Wood Humphreys 5-8st 1lbs Mr Murphy 40/1
9 WHITELOCK K Tomlinson Wadlow 4-7st 8lbs Lord Bradford 25/1
10 KINSKY Sam Loates Joe Cannon 4-7st 6lbs Lord Rosebery 33/1
11 NEWTON Williams John Porter 4-7st 0lbs Duke of Westminster 200/1
12 PORTUCILAN Robinson Tom Cannon 3-7st 0lbs Captain Coventry 100/1
13 MASTER OF ARTS Rickaby William Goater 5-6st 13lbs Mr G Lambert 100/1
14 BRAVE A White Martin Gurry 5-6st 12lbs Mr Hughes 10/1
15 PEARL DIVER F Barrett Mathew Dawson 3-6st 8lbs Lord Hastings 1000/35
16 CRITERION E Martin Jousiffe 4-6st 7lbs Mr H T Barclay 200/15
17 CORMEILLE Jimmy Woodburn Weever 4-6st 5lbs Mr Leigh 100/30 fav
18 GRECIAN BRIDE G Woodburn T Fordham 3-6st 5lbs Mr Manton 33/1
19 SPRING MORN Dunn John Ryan 3-6st 5lbs Mr J H Houldsworth 200/1
20 CALTHA Coker William Goater 4-6st 0lbs Mr Craven 50/1
This race took place on Wednesday 17th June 1885 and was won by a roan colt by Strathconan out of Annora, winning a first prize of 1580 sovereigns from 54 subscriptions (equivalent to £205,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. The actual first prize was £1070. Over round 105%
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 1882 1883 1884 1885