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 2004 Listed race 7 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 WHAZZAT Michael Hills Barry Hills Mr Bill Gredley 7/1
2 BRECON BEACON Kieren Fallon Paul Cole Elite Racing Club 7/1
3 WILKO Eddie Ahern Jeremy Noseda Mrs Susan Roy 16/1
4 HEARTSTEAD WINGS Joe Fanning Mark Johnston Heartstead Homes Ltd 4/1 jt fav
5 IN EXCELSIS Jamie Spencer Aidan O'Brien Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor 4/1 jt fav
6 BOLTON HALL Paul Hanagan Richard Fahey Mr J J Staunton 10/1
7 WHERE WITH ALL Frankie Dettori Saeed Bin Suroor Godolphin 5/1
8 PERFECT CHOICE Darryll Holland Brian Meehan Mrs Susan Roy 10/1
9 JOHN FORBES Dane O'Neill Brian Ellison Mrs Claire Ellison 100/1
10 DARKO KARIM Tom Queally David Loder Egerton House Racing 12/1
11 SWELL LAD Kevin Darley Paul Cole Sir Martyn Arbib 40/1

This race took place on Saturday 19th June 2004 and was won by a bay filly by Daylami out of Wosolta, winning first prize of £23,200 (equivalent to £36,000 in 2020).

 Over round 117%
Chesham Stakes Listed race 7 furlongs 1919 (1848)
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