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 1887 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 GAY HERMIT Charles Wood Alec Taylor 4-7st 13lbs Mr Manton 5/1 fav
2 PEARL DIVER Jimmy Woodburn G Dawson 5-7st 4lbs Lord Hastings 100/30
3 CANDLEMAS G Barrett John Porter 4-7st 4lbs Sir F Johnstone 15/2
4 KINSKY Tom Cannon Jousiffe 6-8st 7lbs Mr J R R Homfray 20/1
5 DOUBLOON F Barrett John Ryan 4-7st 13lbs Mr Douglas Baird 9/1
6 TYRONE Warne John Ryan 4-7st 12lbs Mr J Daly 50/1
7 ISOBAR Sam Loates Wadlow 5-7st 0lbs Lord Bradford 10/1
8 BEAULIEU Robinson Richard Marsh 4-7st 6lbs Mr Broderick-Cloete 8/1
9 HARPENDEN A White Humphreys 4-7st 4lbs Mr Childwick 20/1
10 LOURDES F Sharpe James Jewitt 3-7st 0lbs Mr Leigh 25/1
11 CORUNNA J Wall George Bloss aged-6st 12lbs Lord Hartington 18/1
12 THE DEVIL TO PAY Cleminson Alec Taylor 4-6st 12lbs Mr Manton 50/1
13 LISBON Patrick Sherrard 4-6st 7lbs General Owen Williams 20/1
14 QUICKSAND Mullens James Waugh 3-6st 4lbs Mr A B Carr 10/1
15 SNARE Allsopp Humphreys 4-5st 13lbs Mr Childwick 7/1
16 DARTMOUTH Tommy Loates William Goater 5-6st 5lbs Mr Craven 20/1
This race took place on Wednesday 8th June 1887 and was won by a bay horse by Hermit out of Doll Tearsheet, winning a first prize of 1760 sovereigns from 63 subscriptions (equivalent to £233,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. The actual first prize was £1120. Over round 116%
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 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879
1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887