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 1899 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 DEMOCRAT Tod Sloan Huggins 2-9st 0lbs Lord W Beresford 5/1
2 VAIN DUCHESS Otto Madden Sherwood jnr 2-8st 11lbs Sir R Waldie-Griffith 5/1
3 LUCIE II Barlen Blanc (France) 2-8st 11lbs M E Blanc 8/1
4 DIAMOND JUBILEE John Watts Richard Marsh 2-9st 0lbs HRH Prince of Wales 6/5 fav
5 BOURNE BRIDGE Sam Loates Lambert (Private) 2-9st 0lbs Mr H Lambert 20/1
6 CHEVENING Rickaby Gilbert 2-9st 0lbs Mr J Musker 20/1
7 CAPSTAN Tommy Loates Tom Leader 2-9st 0lbs Mr J M Hanbury 20/1
8 STEALAWAY N Robinson C Beatty 2-9st 0lbs Mr J B Leigh 100/8
9 BRIGHT KEY Allsopp James Waugh 2-9st 0lbs Mr Russel 20/1
10 *303 Morny Cannon John Porter 2-8st 11lbs Duke of Portland 20/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 13th June 1899 and the winner, a chesnut gelding by Sensation, won a first prize was 2160 sovereigns from 116 subscribers (equivalent to £281,000 in 2020) Over round 121%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899