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 1966 Listed race 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 HAMBLEDEN Breasley T Corbett Lord Carnarvon 10/11 fav
2 CATTERLINE J Mercer Candy Mr J Munro 5/1
3 HAND IN HAND W Williamson Wharton Mr L Holliday 7/1
4 GREAT PLEASURE D Keith Wallington Mr D Morris 100/8
5 IMAGINATION J Lindley J Tree Mr J H Whitney 100/8
6 GAY GALLIARD G Lewis I Balding HM The Queen 100/6
7 SOLOMON II D Smith G Brooke Major D McCalmont 100/6
8 MALACHITE P Cook J Jarvis Lord Rosebery 100/6
9 ACRIMONY L Piggott Hanley Mr F Winter 20/1
10 PARCHEVAL R Hutchinson P Nelson Lady Brecknock 25/1
11 NIGHT DREAM B Taylor John Winter Mr D Prenn 25/1
This race took place on Thursday 16th June 1966 and was won by a bay colt by Elopement out of Game Maria, winning a first prize of £2139 (equivalent to £41,000 in 2020). Over round 127%
Chesham Stakes Listed race 7 furlongs 1919 (1848)
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