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 1951 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 KING'S BENCH G Richards M Feakes Mr A J Tompsett 4/6 fav
2 CHAVEY DOWN W H Carr Boyd-Rochfort Mr R W Sharples 20/1
3 PRINCE D'OR W Cook W Nightingall Mr G H Fairhurst 7/2
4 LUCKY NICK E Smith Lawson Mr W Astor 33/1
5 CASLAR E C Elliott H Wragg M Marcel Boussac 15/2
6 VAYNOR D Smith Templeman Mr D J Davies 33/1
7 KRISS KRINGLE K Gethin M Beary Mr I Lipton 33/1
8 ROMAN HONEY W Rickaby J Jarvis Lord Milford 33/1
9 COQ D'OR E W Jones Johnson-Houghton Miss D Paget 33/1
10 THE DABSTER W Elliott M Beary Mr O S Ruane 33/1
11 RAWSON F Hunter S Wootton Mr S Wootton 20/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 12th June 1951, and the winner, a bay colt by Court Martial out of Kings Cross, won a first prize of £2521 (equivalent to £81,000 in 2020) Over round 124%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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