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 1849 Handicap 7 furlongs 166 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 COLLINGWOOD F Butler 6-9st 7lbs Mr Rolt 8/1
2 KISSAWAY Dockeray 3-5st 12lbs Mr T B Charlton 14/1
3 NEWCOURT Wakefield aged-7st 8lbs Captain Pettit 12/1
4 LADY WILDAIR Nat Flatman aged-8st 10lbs Lord Chesterfield 12/1
5 THE MOOR S Mann 4-7st 12lbs Major Martyn 33/1
6 SPITHEAD Job Marson 6-7st 12lbs Mr Lillie 33/1
7 CYMBA Alfred Day 4-7st 9lbs Sir J B Mill 33/1
8 BLAZE Pearl 4-7st 8lbs Lord Clifden 33/1
9 ULYSSES R Pettit 5-7st 7lbs Lord Exeter 33/1
10 RADULPHUS J Sharp 6-7st 6lbs Mr Herbert 12/1
11 WYKE Whitehouse 5-7st 6lbs Mr Whieldon jnr 33/1
12 VALENTINIA Bob Sherwood 4-7st 2lbs Sir G Heathcote 33/1
13 HORNPIPE Kitchener 4-7st 2lbs Duke of Richmond 3/1 fav
14 STRYCHNINE Basham 3-6st 9lbs Mr Bateman 33/1
15 SLASHING ALICE W Harlock 3-5st 5lbs Lord Exeter 4/1
16 DARK LADY Arthur Pavis 3-5st 0lbs Mr Drinkald 33/1
17 JOHN O'GAUNT colt Hiett 3-5st 0lbs Mr H King 33/1
18 PAULTONS Tasker aged-6st 12lbs Sir J Hawley 33/1
19 CRUCIBLE Maton 3-6st 0lbs Mr John Payne 8/1
20 DOLLY VARDEN Walker 3-5st 7lbs Mr H Frankum 33/1
21 SUSAN LOVELL Rodney 3-5st 3lbs Mr Drinkald 8/1
This race took place on Wednesday 6th June 1849 and was won by a bay horse by Sheet Anchor out of Kalmi, winning a first prize of 740 sovereigns from 44 subscriptions (equivalent to £95,000 in 2020), which included a piece of plate valued at 200 sovereigns which was kept by the owner. Over round 145%
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap 1 mile 1843
      1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849