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 1956 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MESSMATE E Mercer J Jarvis Lord Milford 20/1
2 RACIN' PLAID D Smith Dutton Mrs E Goldson 10/1
3 BUSKIN E Smith J A Waugh Brig W Wyatt 20/1
4 HOME RUN G Littlewood H Peacock Mr R S Clark 10/1
5 EL CHINCHE J Egan M Pope Mr C Glover 20/1
6 VINTAGE W Swinburn Fitzgeorge-Parker Mr J Dupre 20/1
7 RED GOD W Carr Boyd-Rochfort Mr H Guggenheim 4/1 fav
8 PAMPERED KING W Snaith Cottrill Major L B Holliday 20/1
9 BRIOCHE E Britt Elsey Mr W Humble 100/8
10 VALENTINE SLIPPER D Page H Nugent Mr E King 7/1
11 TARSUS L Piggott Murless Mr T Lilley 8/1
12 JEHU C Smirke M Marsh Major Macdonald-Buchanan 100/7
13 WESTERLANDS ABE D Forte Stickley Mrs F Nagle 20/1
14 HESIOD J Mercer V Smyth Duke of Norfolk 20/1
15 OLD KING COLE W Rickaby J Jarvis Lord Rosebery 6/1
16 HEDONIST A Breasley P Nelson Friend Sykes 10/1
17 QUEEN'S TANNARD F Durr W Nightingall Mr P Winstone 20/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 19th June 1956, and the winner, a chestnut colt by Blue Peter out of Run Honey, won a first prize of £2674 (equivalent to £75,000 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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