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 1909 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 GALLINULE colt Bernard Dillon Peter Gilpin Major Eustace Loder 20/1
2 YELLOW SLAVE W Saxby Sam Pickering Mr P Nelke Evens fav
3 NEIL GOW F Wootton Percy Peck Lord Rosebery 4/1
4 PRINCE RUPERT Steve Donoghue Atty Persse Mr A F Basset 100/8
5 MERRY TASK Otto Madden Watson Mr A Belmont 20/1
6 PERSIMMON colt Will Griggs George Chaloner Mr Brocklehurst 33/1
7 THEO BOLD G McCall Rooney Mr Dobell 3/1
8 DARTOI Freddie Fox Major Edwards Mr G Edwardes 33/1
9 PLACIDUS C Beckford Lewis Captain Forester 33/1
10 CEDRUS B Lynham John Ryan Mr J H Houldsworth 33/1
11 SUNDRIDGE colt Wal Griggs Morton Mr J B Joel 8/1
12 RYEGRASS H Randall A B Sadler Mr R Oswald 33/1
13 GLANEBROOK A Templeman Ferguson Mr W Hall Walker 20/1
14 FLYING FOX filly G Stern C Waugh Mr Brice 100/8
15 LITTLE LIANE C Trigg H Sadler Mr Chilcott 33/1
16 BRIG OF AYR Danny Maher George Lambton Lord Derby 100/7
17 CERITO Herbert Jones C Archer Mr Dresden 33/1
18 ARTLESS J H Martin Joyner Mr Whitney 33/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 15th June 1909 and the winner, a chestnut colt by Gallinule out of Admiration, won a first prize was 1817 sovereigns (equivalent to £222,000 in 2020) Over round 146%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909