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 1996 Listed race 7 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SHAMIKH Richard Hills Saeed Bin Suroor Hamdan Al Maktoum 8/1
2 STATE FAIR Michael Hills Barry Hills Mr Ray Richards 12/1
3 BELGRAVIA T Quinn Paul Cole Prince Fahd Salman 6/4 fav
4 PARTY ROMANCE Willie Ryan Ben Hanbury Abdulla Buhaleeba 12/1
5 DALMENY DANCER Brett Doyle Brian Meehan Thurloe Thoroughbreds 33/1
6 GREEN JEWEL Michael Roberts Richard Hannon Mr T E Bucknall 9/1
7 MARATHON MAID Tony Culhane Richard Fahey Marathon Thoroughbreds 12/1
8 BOB THE BROKER Mick Kinane Patrick Flynn Mr M G White 15/2
9 BARRIER KING Richard Hughes Paul Cole Allsports Barrier Systems 20/1
10 SOURA Kieren Fallon Paul Kelleway Bellcoil Ltd 33/1
11 STRATHMORE CLEAR Pat Eddery Geoff Lewis Food Brokers Ltd 12/1
12 SUPERCAL Willie Carson David Elsworth Calledonian Racing Club 12/1
This race took place on Thursday 20th June 1996 and was won by a bay colt by Unfuwain out of Narjs, winning first prize of £24,508 (equivalent to £47,000 in 2020). Over round 122%
Chesham Stakes Listed race 7 furlongs 1919 (1848)
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