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 1863 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 VICTOR Morris Balchin 4-5st 12lbs Mr Hodgman 3/1 fav
2 GLENORCHY Thomas John Day 3-6st 13lbs Mr R Sutton 33/1
3 THE KNAVE H Covey Fry 4-7st 5lbs Mr James Merry 5/1
4 KNOWSLEY Aldcroft 4-8st 6lbs Lord Glasgow 10/1
5 UMPIRE J Adams 6-8st 5lbs Lord Coventry 25/1
6 ARGONAUT John Wells 4-8st 8lbs Sir Joseph Hawley 25/1
7 PRINCE PLAUSIBLE Custance 5-8st 5lbs Count Batthyany 33/1
8 EXCHEQUER Maidment 4-8st 5lbs Lord Coventry 50/1
9 OLDMINSTER J Doyle 5-8st 2lbs Mr H Wilkinson 50/1
10 QUEEN OF SPAIN Clement 4-8st 1lbs Mr J Smith 50/1
11 MICHEL GROVE Hibberd 4-7st 12lbs Mr Drewitt 50/1
12 BIRDHILL George Fordham 4-7st 10lbs Duke of Beaufort 33/1
13 ACE OF CLUBS J Daley 4-7st 9lbs Lord Annesley 100/7
14 BERTHA A Edwards 4-7st 8lbs Lord Stamford 25/1
15 DONCASTER Judd 6-7st 4lbs Duke of Beaufort 50/1
16 GAMECOCK Whiteley 5-6st 11lbs Mr W Nelson 20/1
17 VILLETTE Woodhouse 4-6st 10lbs Captain Lamb 50/1
18 POLAND Deacon 3-6st 10lbs Mr H Goater 50/1
19 THE PLOVER Morgan 3-6st 8lbs Mr H Melville 50/1
20 BOHEMIA Jebb 3-6st 7lbs Lord Strathmore 50/1
21 TADEMUS Dowling 3-6st 6lbs Mr M Dennett 9/1
22 CADEAU James Nightingall 3-6st 5lbs Lord Anglesey 50/1
23 MICHAEL SCOTT G Noble 3-6st 4lbs Lord Durham 50/1
24 DISAPPOINTMENT Carroll 4-6st 2lbs Mr Cherry 50/1
25 RUBINI H Taylor 3-6st 1lbs Mr Beadman 100/7
26 MERRY MAID Loates 4-5st 12lbs Mr John Payne 50/1
27 INDOLENCE Mordan 3-5st 7lbs Mr J Morris 25/1
28 NEBULA F Clark 3-5st 7lbs Mr Elphinstone 50/1
This race took place on Wednesday 3rd June 1863 and was won by a brown colt by Vindex out of Habena, winning a first prize of 1070 sovereigns from 77 subscriptions (equivalent to £135,000 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 1848 1849
1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859
1860 1861 1862 1863