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 1872 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 RIPPONDEN H Covey Gilbert 4-7st 2lbs Mr H Savile 100/8
2 FALKIRK Constable Robert Peck 4-7st 0lbs Mr James Merry 20/1
3 HAMLET C Hammond Charles Blanton 3-6st 9lbs Colonel Carleton 25/1
4 NORMANBY Maidment Joseph Dawson 5-8st 2lbs Mr H R Ray 50/1
5 OXONIAN Wyatt William Day 6-8st 1lbs Mr Richmond 40/1
6 ANTON Tom Chaloner Weaver 4-7st 13lbs Mr T E Case 5/1
7 RALPH LAMBTON Hibberd Lye 5-7st 10lbs Mr Gentle50/1
8 SISTER HELEN Busby Robert L'Anson 4-7st 5lbs Mr Fastlake 28/1
9 FISHERMAN W Gray Tom Dawson 4-7st 4lbs Mr J Johnstone 100/15
10 YOUNG SYDMONTON Fred Archer Balchin 3-7st 2lbs Mr A E Hope 50/1
11 SIR ROBERT WALPOLE Lowe Alec Taylor 4-6st 13lbs Lord Ailesbury 25/1
12 BONNY SWELL Macksey George Bloss 5-7st 0lbs Lord Calthorpe 5/1
13 MARSHALL BAZAINE Loates Dover 3-6st 12lbs Mr John Parry 20/1
14 HELMET Peppler Henry Woolcott 3-6st 11lbs Mr G G Keswick 50/1
15 LORD HAWKE Cook Tom Dawson 4-6st 10lbs Mr J Johnstone 40/1
16 CELIBACY T Osborne Alec Taylor 3-6st 5lbs Mr G Payne 100/7
17 BORDEAUX Hatcher William Day 4-6st 1lbs Lord Downe 20/1
18 THE CURATE C Ladd Reynolds (Private) 3-5st 12lbs Mr Reynolds 50/1
19 THEODOROS Newhouse Arnull 4-5st 9lbs Mr Sturt 7/2 fav
This race took place on Wednesday 12th June 1872 and was won by a bay gelding by Skirmisher out of Vertumna, winning a first prize of 950 sovereigns from 65 subscriptions (equivalent to £108,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 125%
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 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869
1870 1871 1872