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 1930 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 LEMNARCHUS F Fox F Darling Lord Ellesmere 9/2
2 SIR ANDREW J Childs Boyd-Rochfort Mr W Woodward 9/2
3 PHARIAN C Elliott Basil Jarvis Lord Allendale 4/1 fav
4 GIROFLEC colt R Perryman Reg Day Sir Abe Bailey 100/6
5 ST GEORGE H Jelliss Jack Jarvis Sir L Philipps 20/1
6 POMME D'API M Beary R Dawson HH Aga Khan 10/1
7 SHELL TRANSPORT R Jones Lawson Mr W Cazalet 20/1
8 ARTHOS H Beasley Atty Persse Major D McCalmont 5/1
9 BALANCE P Beasley P Gilpin Lord Woolavington 20/1
10 CAMPBELL KID G Richards M Hartigan Mrs A Bendir 20/1
11 CRAIG LEITH F Lane Gooch Mr H C Sutton 25/1
12 HURSTMONCEUX J Leach Braime Major H T Barclay 25/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 17th June 1930 and the winner, a bay colt by Friar Marcus out of Lemnos, won a first prize was 1715 sovereigns (equivalent to £91,000 in 2020) Over round 115%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
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1930