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 1888 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 SHILLELAGH George Chaloner James Jewitt 3-6st 3lbs Captain Machell 11/2 fav
2 ATTILA S Chandlay Rowe 4-6st 7lbs Mr A Victor 25/1
3 VERACITY T Calder Weever 4-7st 2lbs Mr W J Legh 10/1
4 EXMOOR E Martin Sherwood 5-8st 6lbs Mr W Blake 28/1
5 GLORIATION John Osborne Osborne 4-8st 5lbs Mr R C Vyner 100/15
6 THE REJECTED Sam Loates Morton 4-8st 2lbs Mr J O'Neill 100/9
7 CANDLEMAS Jimmy Woodburn John Porter 5-7st 7lbs Sir F Johnstone 100/8
8 LADY MUNCASTER E Johnson Robert W Armstrong 4-7st 4lbs Captain G Barchard 66/1
9 LE CAISSIER A White Robert Peck 5-7st 3lbs Mr Childwick 100/6
10 OBERON Liddiard Richard Marsh 5-7st 3lbs Mr Wardour 25/1
11 WHISTLE JACKET Warne Alec Taylor 4-7st 2lbs Mr Manton 20/1
12 GRANDISON Tommy Loates John Dawson jnr 4-6st 13lbs Lord Ellesmere 25/1
13 CLAYMORE Allsopp Humphreys 4-6st 10lbs Lord Howe 40/1
14 MAYO Harrison Martin Gurry 3-6st 9lbs Mr Abington 66/1
15 FRETWORK J Wall Wadlow 4-6st 8lbs Lord Bradford 40/1
16 ISOSCELES J Jones Richard Marsh 4-6st 0lbs Lord Hartington 33/1
17 IRGUNDER Blogg Alec Taylor 3-6st 4lbs Duke of Beaufort 66/1
18 ALBERTUS H Reeve Goulding 3-6st 2lbs Mr G Cleveland 28/1
19 FLOWER OF THE MAY Falloon John Ryan 3-5st 11lbs Mr W Younger 33/1
20 WISE MAN W Balke John Dawson snr 3-5st 13lbs Sir R Jardine 25/1
21 LUCIANA Gammage Tom Jennings snr 4-6st 0lbs Prince Soltykoff 66/1
22 HOLYROOD G Bates Sherrard 3-5st 8lbs General Owen Williams 33/1
This race took place on Wednesday 13th June 1888 and was won by a bay horse by Brown Prince out of Hollythorn, winning a first prize of 1660 sovereigns from 58 subscriptions (equivalent to £217,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. The actual first prize was £1120. Over round 111%
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 1886 1887 1888