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 1978 Listed race 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MAIN REFF J Mercer H Cecil Mr H Joel 8/13 fav
2 SIR CHRIS S Jarvis A Jarvis Mrs M Mouskas 20/1
3 KASSAMOTO R Marshall W Marshall Mr M Trejo 20/1
4 LOCKSLEY E Johnson B Hills Mrs G Getty 14/1
5 RHEINFORD E Hide C Brittain Mr R Khan 12/1
6 CHALUMEAU A Bond Hastings-Bass Mrs D Coker 11/2
7 IVATAN L Piggott R Houghton Mrs P McDonnell 11/1
8 FOREIGN INTRIGUE J Matthias I Balding Mr E Kronfeld 16/1
9 ROYAL CONNECTION T Cain Jermy Mr T Nicholls 25/1
10 LEO VERT J Reid Bewicke Mrs A Roux 33/1
This race took place on Thursday 22nd June 1978 and was won by a chestnut colt by Mill Reef out of Lovely Light, winning a first prize of £6243 (equivalent to £37,000 in 2020). Over round 120%
Chesham Stakes Listed race 7 furlongs 1919 (1848)
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