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 1926 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CROSS BOW R Jones A Taylor Lord Astor 33/1
2 EMBARGO S Donoghue C Bartholomew HH Maharajah of Rajpipla 100/7
3 INCA J Brennan A Taylor Mr Reid Walker 100/8
4 INSIGHT II F Dempsey S Darling Mr A K Macomber 7/1
5 KING OF CLUBS T Weston Bellerby Mr Bellerby 8/1
6 PROMPT Harry Wragg W Earl Mr Solly Joel 100/12
7 VALDORE A Orme Basil Jarvis Lord Allendale 100/7
8 PURPLE SHADE H Beasley Easterbee Mr H Beasley 100/7
9 VESINGTON STAR Morny Wing J Rogers Mr R Duggan 20/1
10 BDA R Stokes Walters Mr J Sharp 25/1
11 SUNDERLAND J Thwaites F Archer Lord Glanely 33/1
12 SWEET ROCKET D Morris Pickering Lord Londonderry 40/1
13 DONSELON F Fox Atty Persse Sir H Meux 40/1
14 DIGNITY F Lane Norman Scobie Sir C Hyde 40/1
15 RACIA P Donoghue R Sherwood Sir R Jardine 40/1
16 MADEMOISELLE M T Barber Duller Major Paget 40/1
17 CLONLARA A Berry Whitaker Mr E Berry 40/1
18 SIR KENNETH M Beary Reg Day Sir Abe Bailey 50/1
19 CANOPUS A Burns Martin Mrs D A Baker 50/1
20 ROIDORE R Perryman M Peacock Sir E Tate 50/1
21 L'HABIT VERT C Smirke C Davis Mr M Spence 50/1
22 FIRST EDITION II J Childs C Leader Lt-Col Birkin 66/1
23 ST BECAN C Elliott Jack Jarvis Sir G Bullough 66/1
24 AMETHYSTINE W McLachlan Boyd-Rochfort Mr M Field 66/1
25 NOTHING VENTURE H Leach F Leach Mr Jardine 66/1
26 REPERTOIRE K Robertson O Bell Sir H Cunliffe-Owne 66/1
27 VERA J McCormack H Leach Major H Barclay 66/1
28 PERHAPS J Egerton Nugent Mrs L Schaverein 66/1
29 LONDON BRIDGE J Caldwell Wilmot Mr Harvie 66/1
30 SHIPS BISCUIT J Marshall R Colling Mr J Harper 66/1
31 HALF AWAKE G Barber Wilmot Mr D Wilson 66/1
This race took place on Wednesday 16th June 1926 and was won by a bay horse by Gay Crusader out of Popingaol, winning a first prize of 1550 sovereigns (equivalent to £80,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 500 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 115%
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 1889
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909
1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919
1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926