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 1852 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 EPHESUS Tommy Lye 4-6st 12lbs Mr Waller 7/2 fav
2 LITTLE SAVAGE Harding 3-6st 0lbs Captain Delme 33/1
3 PAN Rook 3-6st 1lbs Mr Stephenson 33/1
4 HERNANDEZ F Butler 4-8st 5lbs Lord Enfield 6/1
5 HOTHORPE Alfred Day 4-7st 12lbs Mr H Hill 33/1
6 TONIC Thick 4-7st 10lbs Mr E Jones 33/1
7 SIR ROWLAND TRENCHARD Nat Flatman 4-7st 8lbs Mr Oliver 33/1
8 THE HERIOT Basham 4-7st 7lbs Mr Magenis 33/1
9 CATALPA G Mann 4-7st 2lbs Mr John Payne 33/1
10 MANIFOLD Lowe 5-7st 2lbs Mr H Waring 33/1
11 FOLLOW ME LADS A Marlow 4-6st 9lbs Mr Begbie 33/1
12 PALEGRA J Mann 4-6st 9lbs Lord Exeter 10/1
13 HYACINTH Charlton 3-6st 9lbs Baron Rothschild 12/1
14 KNIGHT OF THE SHIRE T Smith 3-6st 9lbs Lord Bruce 33/1
15 TIMID FAWN Barker 4-6st 7lbs Sir W Booth 33/1
16 BUSHRANGER Kendall 4-6st 9lbs Mr W Etwall 6/1
17 SALLY Knott 3-6st 7lbs Mr Merry 33/1
18 SANITA Hiett 3-6st 7lbs Mr E Parr 33/1
19 AMOROSO Wynne 4-6st 0lbs Captain Powell 33/1
20 PLUMSTEAD Garvey 3-6st 0lbs Mr E R Clark 33/1
21 BENITA Wells 3-6st 0lbs Mr Spencer 33/1
22 JANINA Oliver 3-5st 7lbs Mr Magenis 33/1
23 BLOOD ROYAL T Sherwood 3-5st 2lbs Mr Thompson 33/1
This race took place on Wednesday 9th June 1852 and was won by a chestnut colt by Epirus out of Enterprise, winning a first prize of 800 sovereigns from 50 subscriptions (equivalent to £112,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 121%
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap 1 mile 1843
      1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849
1850 1851 1852