Royal Hunt Cup
Handicap race
LocationAscot Racecourse
Ascot, England
Inaugurated1843
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
WebsiteAscot
Race information
Distance1 mile (1,609 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackStraight
QualificationThree-years-old and up
WeightHandicap
Purse£120,000 (2021)
1st: £64,800
Royal Hunt Cup
2023
Light blue, royal blue sleeves, white cap LIGHT BLUE, ROYAL BLUE sleeves, RED cap Orange, black sleeves, black and orange quartered cap
Jimi Hendrix Sonny Liston Awaal
Previous years
2022
Royal blue, white seams, white sleeves, royal blue stars, striped cap Purple, light green stars, purple cap, light green star Beige, dark blue armlets, dark blue cap
Dark Shift Intellogent Tempus
2021
Royal blue, white cap Royal blue, yellow chevron, yellow cap, royal blue spots Dark green, red diamond, armlets and cap
Real World Astro King Grove Ferry
2020-2011
2020
Royal blue, white cap Royal Blue, White Epaulets, Black cap Emerald green, pink star, striped sleeves and cap
Dark Vision Montatham Pogo
2019
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Red, emerald green chevron, chevrons on sleeves, quartered cap White, black seams, white sleeves, black stars, white cap, black star
Afaak Clon Coulis Raising Sand
2018
DARK GREEN, LIGHT GREEN chevron, collar and sleeves, DARK GREEN cap, LIGHT GREEN peak Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Royal blue, red sash, white sleeves
Settle For Bay Afaak Circus Couture
2017
Black, light blue armlets Royal blue, white cap Royal Blue, White Epaulets, Black cap
Zhui Feng Blair House Tashweeq
2016
Royal blue, white cap Royal blue, white seams, royal blue cap, white star Yellow, red chevrons, red sleeves, yellow diamonds, black cap
Portage Librisa Breeze Mitchum Swagger
2015
Light blue, dark blue chevrons and sleeves, dark blue and light blue quartered cap Black, silver sleeves, green cap Emerald green and white diabolo, black sleeves, white cap
Gm Hopkins Temptress Chil The Kite
2014
Black, pink seams, pink sleeves, black armlets, pink cap Emerald green and white diabolo, black sleeves, white cap Royal blue, white cap
Field Of Dream Chil The Kite Steeler
2013
White, light blue cap Orange, black diamond, halved sleeves Orange, yellow star and star on cap
Belgian Bill Premio Loco Arsaadi
2012
Grey, yellow cross of lorraine White, royal blue hoop, diabolo on sleeves, royal blue cap Black, white seams, white sleeves, black armlets, black cap
Prince Of Johanne Excellent Guest Don't Call Me
2011
Emerald green, red sash, yellow sleeves and cap Royal blue, white disc, royal blue sleeves, white spots Royal blue
Julienas Dance And Dance Invisible Man
2010-2001
2010
Royal blue Purple and white diabolo, white sleeves, purple armlets, purple and white hooped cap Yellow, black hoop, black sleeves, yellow stars, yellow cap, black star
Invisible Man Riggins St Moritz
2009
Mauve Royal blue and white (quartered), checked sleeves, royal blue cap Orange and white (quartered), orange sleeves
Forgotten Voice Huzzah Mia's Boy
2008
Pink, Dark Blue stars, Pink sleeves, Pink cap, Dark Blue star Royal blue, pink chevrons, royal blue cap Red, White stripe, diamonds on sleeves, Black cap
Mr Aviator Docofthebay Royal Power
2007
Emerald green, yellow chevrons, emerald green sleeves, hoop on cap Emerald green and pink diamonds, pink sleeves, pink cap, emerald green diamond Yellow, Emerald Green cross belts, hooped sleeves and cap
Royal Oath Flipando Vortex
2006
Red, white sash, royal blue cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves White, blue inverted triangle
Cesare Stronghold Akona Matata
2005
White, large black spots, black cap Royal Blue, Pink hoop, armlets and cap Royal blue, white striped sleeves
New Seeker Ballast Azarole
2004
Pink, Maroon chevrons, Pink sleeves, Pink cap, Maroon star Yellow, Dark Blue sash, Red sleeves Yellow, Black chevron, Yellow and Black halved sleeves, Yellow cap, Black star
Mine Able Baker Charlie Zonergem
2003
Royal blue, white striped sleeves White and Black (halved horizontally), check cap, Yellow sleeves Green and blue checked, white sleeves, yellow cap
Macadamia Camp Commander Tough Love
2002
Maroon, gold sleeves, light blue cap Dark green, orange seams, orange cap ORANGE, black hoop, orange sleeves, white cap
Norton Invader Beauchamp Pilot
2001
Beige, large maroon spots and spots on cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Purple
Surprise Encounter Big Future Muchea
2000-1991
2000
Maroon, white sash, striped sleeves, quartered cap White, red cap, white spots Royal blue and light blue stripes, red cap
Caribbean Monarch John Ferneley Persiano
1999
Crimson, silver braid Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Purple, light blue chevron, light blue cap
Showboat Plan-B Refuse To Lose
1998
Purple, light blue chevron, light blue cap Royal blue Royal Blue, White sleeves, Royal Blue stars, Royal Blue cap, White star
Refuse To Lose Fly To The Stars Prince of My Heart
1997
Black, white chevron hoop and cap Claret, silver sash Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap
Red Robbo Crown Court Cadeaux Tryst
1996
White, red braces, black cap Red and grey check, red sleeves, grey cap Dark blue, white seams, white sleeves, dark blue seams and cap
Yeast Tertium Crumpton Hill
1995
Grey and red hoops, grey sleeves, red cap Royal blue Light Blue, White hollow box, check cap
Realities Darnay Indian Fly
1994
White, light blue triple diamond, light blue sleeves and cap Red and black stripes, white sleeves, red armlets, red cap BLACK and YELLOW QUARTERED, yellow sleeves, black cap with yellow hoop
Face North Lower Egypt Sharp Review
1993
Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Green, grey sleeves ,black cap Purple, light blue chevron, light blue cap
Imperial Ballet Royal Seaton Philidor
1992
Purple, gold braid, scarlet sleeves, black velvet cap, gold fringe Pink, grey seams, striped sleeves, grey cap Scarlet, white hooped sleeves, quartered cap
Colour Sergeant Gymcrak Premiere Dorset Duke
1991
Yellow, grey sleeves, quartered cap Royal blue, large yellow spots, spots on sleeves and cap Light blue and white stripes, yellow cap, light blue star
Eurolink The Lad Operation Wolf Pontenuovo
1990-1983
1990
Light blue and white stripes, yellow cap, light blue star Dark blue, white hooped sleeves, dark blue cap, white spots Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Pontenuovo Curtain Call Pride Of Araby
1989
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Blue, white cross-belts and sleeves, pink cap Royal blue and white stripes, white sleeves, white cap, royal blue diamond
True Panache Wood Dancer Cuvee Charlie
1988
White, turquoise blue sash and sleeves, quartered cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Pink, purple epaulets and cap
Governorship Ghadbbaan Burkan
1987
White, orange sash and spots on cap Brown, beige seams, beige and brow striped cap Black and purple check, purple sleeves
Vague Shot Granny's Bank Gold Prospect
1986
Red and blue (quartered), white sleeves, black cap Purple, white star, white sleeves and cap Emerald green, orange braces and cap, hooped sleeves
Patriach Siyah Kalem King's Head
1985
Royal blue, white cross-belts and armlets, striped cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Red and black check, red sleeves, quartered cap
Come on the Blues Advance Scoutsmistake
1983
Royal blue, white disc and cap White, maroon and white quartered cap Light green, orange striped sleeves, check cap
Mighty Fly Fandangle Christmas Cottage
 

The Royal Hunt Cup is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.

History

The event was established in 1843, and it was originally contested on a right-handed course over 7 furlongs and 166 yards. The inaugural running was won by Knight of the Whistle, with a triple dead-heat for second between Bourra Tomacha, Epaulette and Garry Owen.

The race's distance was shortened to 7 furlongs and 155 yards in 1930, and it was extended to its present length in 1956. It is now run on a straight course, and it usually features a large field.

The Royal Hunt Cup is currently held on the second day of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting. 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.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

Leading jockey (4 wins):

Leading trainer (5 wins):

Winners since 1980

Year Winner Age Weight Jockey Trainer SP Time
1980 Tender Heart 4 9-00 Joe Mercer John Sutcliffe, Jr. 1006.5 13/2
1981 Teamwork 4 8-06 Greville Starkey Guy Harwood 1008 8/1
1982 Buzzards Bay 4 8-12 Joe Mercer Hugh Collingridge 1014 14/1
1983 Mighty Fly 4 9-03 Steve Cauthen David Elsworth 1012 12/1
1984 Hawkley 4 8-06 Tyrone Williams Patrick Haslam 1010 10/1 1:40.38
1985 Come On The Blues 6 8-02 Chris Rutter Clive Brittain 1014 14/1
1986 Patriach 4 7-12 Richard Quinn John Dunlop 1020 20/1 1:39.55
1987 Vague Shot 4 9-05 Steve Cauthen Richard F. Casey 1010 10/1 1:46.53
1988 Governorship 4 9-06 John Reid Charlie Nelson 1033 33/1 1:40.96
1989 True Panache 4 9-04 Pat Eddery Jeremy Tree 1005 5/1 F 1:40.92
1990 Pontenuovo 5 7-07 Gary Bardwell David Elsworth 1050 50/1 1:40.18
1991 Eurolink the Lad 4 8-09 John Reid John Dunlop 1025 25/1 1:42.75
1992 Colour Sergeant 4 7-08 David Harrison Lord Huntingdon 1020 20/1 1:38.07
1993 Imperial Ballet 4 8-12 Pat Eddery Henry Cecil 1020 20/1 1:47.40
1994 Face North 6 8-03 Alan Munro Reg Akehurst 1025 25/1 1:41.46
1995 Realities 5 9-00 Michael Kinane Guy Harwood 1011 11/1 1:40.08
1996 Yeast 4 8-06 Kieren Fallon William Haggas 1008 8/1 F 1:39.39
1997 Red Robbo 4 8-06 Olivier Peslier Reg Akehurst 1016 16/1 1:40.30
1998 Refuse to Lose 4 7-11 Jason Tate James Eustace 1020 20/1 1:43.21
1999 Showboat 5 8-06 Neil Pollard Barry Hills 1014 14/1 1:38.59
2000 Caribbean Monarch 5 8-10 Kieren Fallon Sir Michael Stoute 1005.5 11/2 1:41.91
2001 Surprise Encounter 5 8-09 Frankie Dettori Ed Dunlop 1008 8/1 1:40.27
2002 Norton 5 8-09 Jimmy Fortune Terry Mills 1025 25/1 1:40.31
2003 Macadamia 4 8-13 Dane O'Neill James Fanshawe 1008 8/1 1:39.87
2004 Mine 6 9-05 Richard Quinn James Bethell 1016 16/1 1:40.85
2005 New Seeker [a] 5 9-00 Philip Robinson Clive Cox 1011 11/1 1:37.54
2006 Cesare 5 8-08 Jamie Spencer James Fanshawe 1014 14/1 1:40.62
2007 Royal Oath 4 9-00 Jimmy Fortune John Gosden 1009 9/1 1:39.78
2008 Mr Aviator 4 9-05 Richard Hughes Richard Hannon Sr. 1025 25/1 1:39.63
2009 Forgotten Voice 4 9-01 Johnny Murtagh Jeremy Noseda 1004 4/1 F 1:40.41
2010 Invisible Man 4 8-09 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor 1028 28/1 1:37.16
2011 Julienas 4 8-08 Eddie Ahern Walter Swinburn 1012 12/1 1:38.53
2012 Prince of Johanne 6 9-03 John Fahy Tom Tate 1016 16/1 1:38.24
2013 Belgian Bill 5 8-11 James Doyle George Baker 1033 33/1 1:38.68
2014 Field Of Dream 7 9-01 Adam Kirby Jamie Osborne 1020 20/1 1:37.88
2015 GM Hopkins 4 9-03 Ryan Moore John Gosden 1008 8/1 1:40.30
2016 Portage 4 9-05 James Doyle Michael Halford 1010 10/1 1:43.01
2017 Zhui Feng 4 9-00 Martin Dwyer Amanda Perrett 1025 25/1 1:37.82
2018 Settle For Bay 4 9-01 Billy Lee David Marnane 1016 16/1 1:39.42
2019 Afaak 5 9-03 Jim Crowley Charles Hills 1020 20/1 1:42.36
2020 Dark Vision 4 9-01 William Buick Mark Johnston 1007.5 15/2 1:38.32
2021 Real World 4 8-06 Marco Ghiani Saeed bin Suroor 1018 18/1 1:38.04
2022 Dark Shift 4 9-01 James McDonald Charles Hills 1006.5 13/2 1:39.13
2023 Jimi Hendrix 4 9-05 Rossa Ryan Ralph Beckett 1022 22/1 1:39.48
  1. ^ The 2005 running took place at York

Earlier winners

* The race was run at Newbury in 1941.

See also

References

Categories