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 1967 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MARK ROYAL Breasley Norris Mr B S Bodner 13/2
2 STAR AND GARTER D Smith G Brooke Mrs J Hambro 4/1
3 STORM BIRD R Hutchinson J Dunlop Duke of Norfolk 100/7
4 THE RIFT J Mercer W Hern Lord Rotherwick 11/4 fav
5 RELENTLESS B Taylor H Leader Mr D Hammond 6/1
6 ATOPOLIS A Barclay Budgett Mr R R Watson 7/1
7 HIYALL G Moore H Murless (Ireland) Mr R Reynolds junior 100/8
8 SPINDAR Robinson H Leader Dr Carlos Vittadini 100/7
9 JOG TROT D Keith V Cross Mr J Ismay 100/6
10 WAKENER E Eldin E Gifford Mr F Lyall 20/1
11 EMPEROR JULIAN G Starkey F Maxwell Lady M Bury 33/1
12 SOVEREIGN'S CHARM L Piggott R Mason Mr C Chambers 33/1
13 TUDOR BENE McCarthy Hanley Mr R Richards 33/1
14 HONEY BEAR P Cook J Jarvis Lord Rosebery 33/1
15 SOVEREIGN SPITFIRE R P Elliott Gates Mrs A Samuelson 33/1
16 BOLD SPRINGS J Wilson B Swift Mr B Shine 33/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 20th June 1967, and the winner, a bay colt by Monet out of Royal Straight, won a first prize of £4596 (equivalent to £85,000 in 2020) Over round 137%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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