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 1961 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 XERXES D Smith G Brooke Mrs D McCalmont 9/2
2 TORERO A Breasley G Smyth Duchess of Norfolk 11/2
3 COURT SENTENCE E Smith T Leader Mr H J Joel 100/7
4 BURNING THOUGHTS B Lee W Hern Major L B Holliday 5/2 fav
5 RIVER CHANTER L Piggott G Todd Mr R Sigtia 11/2
6 CYRUS F Durr G Brooke Mr J Hambro 100/8
7 LEIGE LORD P Tulk Corbett Lord Carnarvon 100/8
8 PARKLAND J Mercer R J Colling Mr J Astor 100/7
9 PRINCIPAL W Swinburn F Armstrong Mr J Benjamin 20/1
10 HELIPORT W Rickaby R Day Mr Rex Cohen 20/1
11 WHIM OF YOUTH E Hide Elsey Mr R Dennis 20/1
12 PERSIAN FANTASY R P Elliott Masson Mr C Leigh 20/1
13 IMPENDING FEUD J Lindley Masson Mr D L Naylor 20/1
14 GELERT D Keith Stickley Mrs F Nagle 20/1
15 SONG OF PAN Masters Goodwill Miss J Phelps 20/1
16 NEVER GIVE UP W Carr F Winter Mrs E S Bodner 20/1
17 SPARROW PIE G Littlewood Barling Mr O Watney 20/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 13th June 1961, and the winner, a bay colt by Darius out of Loreleis, won a first prize of £2556 (equivalent to £58,000 in 2020) Over round 151%
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 1916 1917 1918 1919
1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939
1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
1960 1961