Royal Ascot: Chesham Stakes

The Chesham Stakes, the opening race on the final day of the Royal meeting, is a Listed race over 7 furlongs for two-year-olds named after the 3rd Baron Chesham who served as Master of the Buckhounds in 1900-01. It was established in 1919, and it was originally contested over 5 furlongs, replacing the first leg of the Triennial Stakes which was first staged in 1848 when won by Elthiron. The race has an unusual restriction, being open only to horses sired by stallions who won over ten furlongs or more.  For a time the Chesham Stakes was contested over 6 furlongs, but was extended to 7 furlongs in 1996.
Early history:- The inaugural running of the first leg of the First Triennial Stakes over 5 furlongs, the forerunner of the Chesham Stakes, was on Tuesday 6th June 1848 when a field of 19 was headed by Elthiron, owned by Lord Eglinton, who beat Borneo and Jester by a head and the same. In 1919 the Triennial Stakes First leg was replaced by the Chesham Stakes and was run on Wednesday 18th June 1919 when Mr L Robinson's unnamed Decagone colt (7/4 fav) beat Fiddle de Dee and Pelope by 2 lengths and 3 lengths.
Chesham Stakes 1947 Listed race 5 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 DJERID C Elliott France M M Boussac 10/1
2 PHAETONIA G Richards F Darling Mr J A Dewar 5/1
3 GREENWAY J Simpson H Jelliss Mr G C Gibson 33/1
4 EBOO C Smirke Frank Butters HH Aga Khan 11/10 fav
5 STAR OF GUJRATH E Britt F Armstrong HH Maharajah of Baroda 5/1
6 KING'S COUNSEL D Smith W Earl Major L Montagu 100/8
7 HENLEY-IN-ARDEN W Rickaby W Nightingall Mrs G Kohn 100/7
8 RADIANT QUEEN W Carr Boyd-Rochfort Sir R Sykes 20/1
9 ROBERT BARKER H Sprague Reardon Mr A E Whatcoats 33/1
10 CONTRACT D L Jones Watson Mr J A De Rothschild 33/1
11 HARLECH S Wragg E Williams Mrs E Williams 33/1
12 FREE LOAN T Hawcroft Carey Mr H Lipwick 33/1
13 SYRITHA E Smith Blackmore Mr J S Barrington 33/1
This race took place on Wednesday 18th June 1947 and was won by a chestnut colt by Djebel out of Melusine, winning a first prize of £1000 (equivalent to £40,000 in 2020). Over round 128%
Chesham Stakes Listed race 7 furlongs 1919 (1848)
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