Henley Royal Regatta 1839

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In any sport there are particularly significant events and venues which have great importance. For tennis junkies the venue is Wimbledon and the event the Lawn Tennis Association Championships. For National Hunt racing fans it is Aintree and the Grand National, whilst for Flat racing enthusiasts it is Epsom and The Derby. However, for rowing there are two events, the University Boat Race and the Royal Regatta, yet in the beginning just one important venue, Henley-on-Thames.
The inaugural University Boat race took place in 1829 at Henley-on-Thames. It was the brainchild of a Cambridge student, Charles Merivale who, at the time, was a student at St Johns College. His great friend Charles Wordsworth was a student at Christ Church College, Oxford and it was to be the dark blues of Oxford who easily defeated their light blue rivals. Today the race takes place between Putney and Mortlake and, to date, Cambridge have recorded more wins than Oxford.
The first Henley Regatta was held in 1839 when amateur rowers contested races on one afternoon. The day was so successful that in 1840 the event was extended to two days, and by 1851 it was so popular that Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, attended so enabling the annual event to be called Henley Royal Regatta for the first time. The event has grown in popularity ever since, and this site records the results of the main races since its inception.

The University Boat Race
1829       10th June              Oxford                  14 mins 3 secs    Easily                     Oxford 1 Cambridge 0

1836       17th June              Cambridge          36 mins 0 secs    20 lengths           Oxford 1 Cambridge 1

1839       3rd April                                Cambridge          31 mins 0 secs    35 lengths           Cambridge 2 Oxford 1
STEWARDS CHALLENGE CUP GRAND CHALLENGE CUP TOWN CHALLENGE CUP
This race was instituted in 1841 Trinity College,Cambridge 1st The Wave (Trophy not as shown)

 

Etonian Club, Oxford

8 mins 30 secs

1/2 length

2nd The Albion

3rd The Dreadnought
DOUBLE SCULLS CHALLENGE CUP DIAMOND CHALLENGE SCULLS SILVER WHERRIES
This race was first instituted in 1939. Race instituted in 1844 Race instituted in 1845

The race was introduced to mark the Centenary Regatta.

 

 

 
LADIES´ CHALLENGE PLATE VISITORS CHALLENGE CUP PRINCE OF WALES CHALLENGE CUP
Race instituted in 1846 Race instituted in 1847 In 2007 the trophy was donated by V G Saunders

 

 

 The race is for Men´s Quadruple Sculls.
THAMES CHALLENGE CUP WYFOLD CHALLENGE CUP BRITANNIA CHALLENGE CUP
Race instituted in 1868 Race instituted in 1855 This race was instituted in 1968.

 

 

 First contested as the Henley Prize, in 1969 it became the Britannia Cup.
The inaugural meeting of the Regatta in which just 2 Cups were contested. The Grand Challenge Cup remains the main race today, while the Town Challenge Cup, for Quads and Coxwain, was contested until 1883.
PRINCESS ELIZABETH CHALLENGE CUP The Local Amateur Scullers Race was to be introduced from 1846 to 1857.
This race was instituted in 1946. The District Goblets for Pair Oars was to be introduced from 1858 to 1867.
In the first year the race took place over a mile. The Presentation Cup for Fours without Cox was to be introduced from 1869 to 1872.
The full course was used in 1947 and by 1964 Foreign schools were allowed entry.  
 
TEMPLE CHALLENGE CUP FAWLEY CHALLENGE CUP PRINCE ALBERT CHALLENGE CUP
This event was first contested in 1990. This event first took place in 1992. This event was first staged in 2004.
The race is for male eights. The race is for junior boys quads. The race is for Mens coxed fours.
REMENHAM CHALLENGE CUP PRINCESS ROYAL CHALLENGE CUP PRINCESS GRACE CHALLENGE CUP
This event was first staged in 2003. This event was first staged in 1992. This race was first instituted in 2003.
The race is for Womens eights. The race is for Women´s singles. The event is named after Princess Grace of Monaco.
If you have photos, racecards, badges, or newspaper cuttings about Henley Royal Regatta this year which could enhance this page then email johnslusar@fsmail.net