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 1847 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 TRAGICAL W Abdale 4-6st 12lbs Count Batthyany 33/1
2 WINTONIA Hornsby junior 3-5st 13lbs Mr Worley 33/1
3 PRUSSIC ACID F Butler 4-8st 4lbs Lord Orford 6/1 co fav
4 PATRIOT Sly 6-8st 4lbs Mr Irwin 33/1
5 COLLINGWOOD Edwards 4-7st 12lbs Mr Rolt 33/1
6 AFRICAN Job Marson aged-7st 12lbs Mr Merton 12/1
7 LOTO W Evans 4-7st 10lbs Mr F Hubert 33/1
8 PAM Nat Flatman 5-7st 10lbs Lord Chesterfield 6/1 co fav
9 LYNAEUS Whitehouse 4-7st 8lbs Lord Stradbroke 14/1
10 DEAN SWIFT Denman 5-7st 2lbs Captain Gambier 33/1
11 THE MANGLER R Pettit 5-7st 2lbs Mr W Wyatt 33/1
12 ELIMEA J Sharpe 4-6st 10lbs Mr S Scott 33/1
13 KISMET Hutchinson 4-6st 10lbs Mr Isaac Day 33/1
14 DR GOODALL T Prince 3-6st 10lbs Mr R Boyce 33/1
15 KIMBLESWORTH Carter 3-6st 10lbs Mr Sadford 33/1
16 GOOD COIN Crouch 3-6st 10lbs Mr Robertson 33/1
17 BEDOUIN Basham 3-6st 7lbs Mr B Green 33/1
18 CORRECT CARD Rodney 5-6st 7lbs Mr Leigh 33/1
19 DERIADES J Prince 3-6st 5lbs Mr Wigram 33/1
20 GABBLER Kitchener 3-6st 4lbs Mr Mostyn 6/1 co fav
21 JOLLY DICK Dockeray 3-6st 3lbs Mr J Rogers 33/1
22 ST LEON Ryder 3-6st 2lbs Mr Dawson 33/1
23 DON CAESAR Charlton 3-5st 9lbs Colonel Anson 10/1
24 CHRISTOPHER G Oates 3-6st 10lbs Mr S Conway 33/1
25 DON JUAN colt E Sharpe 3-5st 9lbs Lord Chesterfield 10/1
This race took place on Wednesday 2nd June 1847 and was won by a brown gelding by Emilius out of Ophelia, winning a first prize of 770 sovereigns from 57 subscriptions (equivalent to £80,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 130%
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap 1 mile 1843
      1843 1844 1845 1846 1847