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.
New Coventry Stakes 1915 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MARCUS Herbert Jones John Dawson Mr J Barrow 6/1
2 FIGARO Wal Griggs Peter Gilpin Mr L Neumann 13/8 fav
3 CRIMPER McGee Cunnington Mr H Duryea 20/1
4 ROI D'ECOSSE Steve Donoghue Atty Persse Captain D McCalmont 10/1
5 NASSOVIAN N Spear Joseph Butters Mr J Sanford 100/6
6 LILY OF THE VALLEY colt J Clark Alec Taylor Mr Washington Singer 20/1
7 DOUBLE BACK Martin Green Lord Sefton 20/1
8 LIMOND Dave Dick T Waugh Mr Russel 33/1
9 EOS J Prout George Lambton Lord D'Abernon 100/8
10 POLYDONIA C Trigg C Waugh Mr F Benson 33/1
11 KWANG SU C Foy Alec Taylor Mr Fairie 100/8
12 BAYARD F Bullock Sherwood jnr Captain Homfray 33/1
13 GRATIAN F Templeman Leach Duchess of Newcastle 33/1
14 BASKET Fred Rickaby Green Mr G D Smith 33/1
15 DAMASCUS Henri Jelliss H Enoch Mr J B Thorneycroft 33/1
16 GALLIROGUE E Wheatley Leach Mr W Cazalet 33/1
17 LADY COLIN W Huxley Fallon Mr A Ledlie 5/1
18 MONTBRETTA A Whalley Watson Leopold De Rothschild 20/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Thursday 29th July 1915 at Newmarket Racecourse and the winner, a bay colt by Cicero out of St Sava, won a first prize was 1000 sovereigns (equivalent to £105,000 in 2020) Over round 140%
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 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915