Royal Ascot: Coventry Stakes

The event was established in 1890, and it was named after the 9th Earl of Coventry, George William Coventry, born 9th May 1838, a Conservative politician, Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms, and who Master of the Buckhounds from 1886-1892 and again from 1895 to 1901. The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the Coventry Stakes was classed at Group 3 level. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 2004. It is usually contested on the opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting.
Early history:-The Prince and Princess of Wales were in attendance on Tuesday 17th June 1890 for the inaugural running of the Coventry Stakes worth £1,823 to the winner. Excessive rain fell until noon, but it was fine when the 19 runners lined up for the Coventry Stakes over 6 furlongs. After repeated attempts the flag fell to a level start and, although the field was large, the race developed into a match between Siphonia (100/15) and The Deemster (9/4 fav) owned by Mr J B Leigh, with the favourite, ridden by Robinson, getting his head in front on the line to win by a head, with Grace Emily (20/1) three lengths back in third.
Coventry Stakes 1890 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 THE DEEMSTER Robinson James Jewitt Mr J B Leigh 9/4 fav
2 SIPHONIA Warne Jimmy Ryan Mr Douglas Baird 100/15
3 GRACE EMILY Liddiard Percy Peck Mr Blundell Maple 20/1
4 HAMPTON Colt Fred Webb Ashby Mr Hamar Bass 33/1
5 BENEDETTO R Chaloner Golding Mr Bewdley 33/1
6 LE BUTARD John Watts Tom Jennings jnr Mr E Blanc 6/1
7 FORESTER Fred Barrett Matthew Dawson Lord Cadogan 100/12
8 CHESTERFIELD Blake Golding Mr G Cleveland 25/1
9 ROBERT THE DEVIL Colt George Chaloner Weever Mr E Collins 33/1
10 MELODY Rickaby John Ryan Mr D Cooper 8/1
11 BELVIDORA II Calder John Dawson jnr Lord Ellesmere 100/8
12 LADY PRIMROSE Allsopp John Dawson snr Sir R Jardine 25/1
13 ENNISKILLEN John Osborne Bates Sir R Jardine 50/1
14 ST DAVID Sam Loates Tom Leader Mr T Leader 50/1
15 ST CYR Tommy Loates Golding Mr Henry Miller 100/8
16 SHELDRAKE Tom Cannon Robert Sherwood Colonel North 100/6
17 BUCHANAN Colt Morny Cannon Alec Taylor Mr Alec Taylor 50/1
18 OREGON George Barrett G Dawson Duke of WEstminster 25/1
19 THALABA H Morgan Allen General Owen Williams 50/1
The inaugural running of the Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 17th June 1890 and the winner, a brown colt by Arbitrator out of Rookery, won by a head, with 3 lengths back to the third. First prize was £1,823 (equivalent to £236,000 in 2020) Over round 138%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890