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 1948 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ROYAL FOREST Cliff Richards N Murless Major R Macdonald-Buchanan 5/1
2 NIMBUS G Bridgland G Colling Mrs M Glenister 10/1
3 PETER FLOWER E Smith J Jarvis Lord Rosebery 9/4 fav
4 ASSIZE W Nevett M Peacock Mr W Riley-Smith 3/1
5 TARGUI E C Elliott France M Marcel Boussac 8/1
6 BRONZINO T Weston R Day Mrs C M Woodbridge 10/1
7 IRAN W Johnstone Frank Butters Prince Aly Khan 100/6
8 NOTA BENE C Smirke Harry Wragg Begum Aga Khan 100/6
9 STUBBS Littlewood Warden Maud, Lady Fitzwilliam 25/1
10 BUCKLER'S HARD W Rickaby Archibald Captain P Harvey 25/1
11 BLUE FOX II E Britt Frank Butters HH Aga Khan 25/1
12 RED CARNATION James Doyle Atty Persse Major D McCalmont 25/1
13 ARUN T Burn W Smyth Duchess of Norfolk 25/1
14 SISTERTON S Wragg H Wragg Mr C Sweeny 25/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 15th June 1948, and the winner, a bay colt by Bois Roussel out of Tudor Maid, won a first prize of £1000 (equivalent to £37,000 in 2020) Over round 137%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
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