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 1997 Listed race 7 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CENTRAL PARK Frankie Dettori Paul Cole Prince Fahd Salman 7/1
2 CAPE VERDI John Ried Peter Chapple-Hyam Mr R Sangster 2/1 fav
3 WALES T Quinn Paul Cole Prince Fahd Salman 12/1
4 CLASSIC MANOEUVRE Dane O'Neill Richard Hannon Paul & Jenny Green 25/1
5 SAINTS BE PRAISED Olivier Peslier David Loder Mrs Virginia Kraft Payson 20/1
6 ANVIL Gary Stevens Geoff Lewis Highclere Thoroughbreds 25/1
7 AJIG DANCER Roger Perham Mich Channon Timberhill Racing Partnership 10/1
8 SIDEMAN Christy Roche Aidan O'Brien Mr Michael Tabor 7/2
9 REBALZA Ray Cochrane James Eustace Brave Maple Partnership 50/1
10 EXBOURNE'S WISH Michael Hills Barry Hills Khaled Abdulla 14/1
11 BALANCE THE BOOKS Pat Eddery Richard Hannon Mohammed Suhail 10/1
12 ALAZAN Mick Kinane D M Hyde The Spanish Connection 50/1
This race took place on Thursday 19th June 1997 and was won by a chestnut colt by In the Wings out of Park Special, winning first prize of £24,053 (equivalent to £45,000 in 2020). Over round 117%
Chesham Stakes Listed race 7 furlongs 1919 (1848)
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