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 1851 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 SIR CHARLES H Goater 4-7st 0lbs Mr H Robinson 33/1
2 STRONGBOW Nat Flatman 5-7st 5lbs Lord Clifden 7/2 fav
3 URIEL F Butler 5-8st 7lbs Lord Stanley 6/1
4 HAGLEY Sim Templeman 6-8st 2lbs Mr J Parson 33/1
5 CYPRUS Rodney 4-7st 10lbs Mr Drinkald 33/1
6 GILLYFLOWER Nash 4-7st 8lbs Mr C Mare 33/1
7 THE SWEDE W Abdale 4-7st 7lbs Major Martyn 33/1
8 REPLETION Hiett 5-7st 7lbs Mr Francis 10/1
9 GRIEF W Sharpe 5-7st 6lbs Lord Warwick 33/1
10 CALIFORNIA Thurgood 4-7st 0lbs Sir R Pigot 33/1
11 HERBERT Kitchener 5-7st 0lbs Lord Wilton 4/1
12 TILSIT Hammond 5-7st 0lbs Mr W B Pearce 33/1
13 FIRE-EATER G E Sharp 5-7st 0lbs Duke of Rutland 33/1
14 LANDSEER Crouch 5-6st 12lbs Lord Strathmore 33/1
15 EVA G Mann 5-6st 11lbs Mr Carew 33/1
16 UTRECHT J Mann 4-6st 9lbs Lord Exeter 100/8
17 FLARE-UP Arthur Pavis 4-6st 7lbs Mr Drinkald 33/1
18 ROLLER D Doyle 3-6st 5lbs Lord Waterford 10/1
19 BLISTER Rickards 4-6st 4lbs Mr Saxon 7/1
20 HUNGERFORD Basham 3-6st 3lbs Mr Morris 6/1
21 ABDERHAMAN T Smith 3-6st 0lbs Mr Batson 33/1
22 CANE Toovey 3-5st 4lbs Lord Exeter 100/8
This race took place on Wednesday 4th June 1851 and was won by a bay colt by Hetman Platoff out of Minx, winning a first prize of 780 sovereigns from 48 subscriptions (equivalent to £110,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 155%
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap 1 mile 1843
      1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849
1850 1851