The event was established in 1807, and it was originally open to horses aged three or older. The inaugural winner, Master Jackey, was awarded prize money of 100
guineas. The first race took place in the presence of
King George III and
Queen Charlotte. The 1844 running was attended by
Nicholas I of Russia, who was making a
state visit to England. That year's winner was unnamed at the time of his victory, but he was given the name "The Emperor" in honour of the visiting monarch. In return Nicholas offered a new trophy for the race — the "Emperor's Plate" — and this became the title of the event for a short period. Its original name was restored after nine years, during the
Crimean War. It was taken by thieves on 18 June 1907. The theft was never solved, but a replacement was finished by August.
Mark Twain, the American humorist, came to London about that time, and was much amused by the twin headlines appearing in
The Times: MARK TWAIN ARRIVES ASCOT GOLD CUP STOLEN The Gold Cup is the first leg of Britain's ''Stayers' Triple Crown'', followed by the
Goodwood Cup and the
Doncaster Cup. The last horse to win all three races in the same year was
Stradivarius in 2019. The Gold Cup is one of three perpetual trophies at the Royal Ascot meeting, along with the
Royal Hunt Cup and the
Queen's Vase, which can be kept permanently by the winning owners. A number of horses have won it more than once, and the most successful is
Yeats, who recorded his fourth victory in 2009. ==Records==