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 1965 Listed race 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SWIFT HARMONY L Piggott Reavey Mr P Finlinson 6/1
2 GUANO W Williamson H Thomson-Jones Mr S Joel 100/9
3 MALDAVAN D Yates Goldsmith Mrs G Sandiford 33/1
4 FONTEX B Taylor H Leader Dr Carlos Vittadini 100/7
5 SKIPPON J Mercer Wharton Major L B Holliday 3/1 fav
6 AMBERICOS J Purtell M V O'Brien Mrs A Ford 9/2
7 DISTANT HORIZON Breasley Blagrave Mr H G Blagrave 5/1
8 SASKATOON J Lindley J Tree Mr H Bousher 8/1
9 GREAT NEPHEW R Hutchinson J Jarvis Mr J Phillips 10/1
10 KARESUANDO Hayes F Armstrong Mr H Ely 100/6
11 AUSKERRY Lynch J Jarvis Mr H Wills 100/6
12 EDDAS P Sullivan H Murless Mr R Reynolds 20/1
13 SIR BRIAN S Smith H R Price Mr L Salner 20/1
14 PARALLEL D Smith G Brooke Mr R Dennis 25/1
15 MAJUSSAR G Starkey Sturdy Mrs S Desai 33/1
16 BADELAS D Ryan Edmunds Mr L Jones 33/1
17 MATCHLESS J Wilson H Price Mr L Salner 33/1
18 COUNTERFEIT K Temple-Nidd F N Winter Mr D Legget 33/1
19 COURTING VENTURE F Durr R Smyth Mr R Thirkell 33/1
This race took place on Thursday 17th June 1965 and was won by a chestnut filly by Elopement out of Syncopations, winning a first prize of £2200 (equivalent to £44,000 in 2020). Over round 153%
Chesham Stakes Listed race 7 furlongs 1919 (1848)
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