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 1902 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ROCK SAND Danny Maher Blackwell Sir J Miller 6/4 fav
2 BARONESS LA FLECHE J H Martin Gilbert Mr J Musker 7/4
3 RED LILY Joe Childs H Sadler Mr L Brassey 100/9
4 SERMON W Halsey Fred Day Sir Ernest Cassel 100/6
5 ST GERALD Kempton Cannon Tom Cannon jnr Mr T Simpson Jay 20/1
6 PLUM PECKER J H Watts J Watts Major Joicey 20/1
7 D'ORSAY G McCall W Stevens Mr R Forrest Tod 20/1
8 NEW CENTURY F Hardy James Waugh Mr J D Wardell 20/1
9 MAILED FIST Morny Cannon John Porter Duke of Westminster 100/6
10 REINE MARGOT Johnny Reiff Caillault (France) M Maurice Caillault 20/1
11 MRS GAMP Herbert Jones Richard Marsh Mr Arthur James 20/1
12 SKYSCRAPER W Lane Watson Mr W Raphael 100/8
13 BANKENCE Gallardo Alf Sadler jnr Mr Alf Sadler jnr 20/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 17th June 1902 and the winner, a brown colt by Sainfoin out of Roquebrune, won a first prize was 1741 sovereigns (equivalent to £216,000 in 2020) Over round 139%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
1900 1901 1902