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 2002 Listed race 7 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 HELM BANK Keith Dalgleish Mark Johnston Mr & Mrs G Middlebrook 25/1
2 TOMAHAWK Mick Kinane Aidan O'Brien Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor 1/2 fav
3 CELTIC SAPPHIRE Kevin Darley Mark Johnston Mrs Vanessa Cecil 11/1
4 PRINCE NUREYEV Franny Norton Rod Millman Mr H Gooding 25/1
5 INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS Darryll Holland Jeremy Noseda Lucayan Stud 14/1
6 PINKERTON Dane O'Neill Richard Hannon Mr J A Lazzani 5/1
7 RIVER CELEBRE Michael Hills Barry Hills Hon R J Arculli 14/1
8 FELLOW SHIP Richard Hills Barry Hills Mr M H Dixon 50/1
9 MAJOR SPECULATION Eddie Ahern Gerald Butler Latona Leisure Ltd 14/1
10 BRAVO DANCER Steve Drowne Mick Channon Jaber Abdullah 20.1
11 TINTAWN GOLD Paul Doe Nerys Duffield The Goldrush Partners 33/1
12 GAP YEAR Shane Kelly Jamie Osborne Mr John Livock 50/1
This race took place on Wednesday 19th June 2002 and was won by a bay colt by Wild Again out of Imperial Baliwick, winning first prize of £23,200 (equivalent to £39,000 in 2020). Over round 131%
Chesham Stakes Listed race 7 furlongs 1919 (1848)
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