 There was no Boat Race in 1853 as the Henley Royal Regatta was scheduled for the same time as that proposed by Cambridge in their challenge to Oxford . The universities did however race each other that year , in the Grand Challenge Cup , which was won by Oxford . On 11 February 1854 , a challenge was sent to Oxford by the former Light Blue cox Thomas Selby Egan , who had assumed temporary captaincy of Cambridge University Boat Club , despite having coached the Dark Blues to victory in the 1852 race . 
