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 1910 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 RADIANCY Wal Griggs Morton Mr J B Joel 100/7
2 JOIE DE VIVRE F Wootton Brewer Mr Lionel Robinson 11/2
3 CELLINI W Saxby Peter Gilpin Mr L Neumann 4/1 fav
4 ILIA Steve Donoghue Lewis Captain F Forester 20/1
5 PIETRI H Watts Watson Leopold De Rothschild 8/1
6 CORFU Walter Earl W Waugh Duke of Portland 20/1
7 ZORZAL W Higgs Braime Mr F Alexander 20/1
8 SANTRY colt C Foy Alf Sadler jnr Mr Alf Stedall 20/1
9 ROMEO Bernard Dillon F Hartigan Mr R Mills 5/1
10 HOLY SMOKE Wil Grigs T Waugh Mr F Bibby 25/1
11 DARK SIMON E Shaw J Clement Mr Abe Bailey 100/7
12 FORGOTTEN B Lynham Hoyle Mr Bowen 25/1
13 PHRYXUS Danny Maher Alec Taylor Mr Fairie 100/7
14 FRANCOLEN W Smith Peter Gilpin Major Eustace Loder 20/1
15 HELVIA J H Martin Davies Sir W Cooper 20/1
16 ST SERF filly Herbert Jones Leach Baron Meyer De Rothschild 20/1
17 CASTELLINE A Taylor Robinson Mr Schiff 7/1
18 JOHN O'LORNE A Templeman Ferguson Mr W Hall Walker 25/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 14th June 1910 and the winner, a bay filly by Sundridge out of Queen Elizabeth, won a first prize was 1817 sovereigns (equivalent to £222,000 in 2020) Over round 142%
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
1910