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 1977 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SOLINUS L Piggott M V O'Brien Mr D Schwartz 7/4 fav
2 SHARPEN YOUR EYE W Carson R Houghton Lord Leverhulme 22/1
3 SWING BRIDGE P Cook H Thomson-Jones Mr George Strawbridge 20/1
4 SOLDIERS POINT J Matthias I Balding Mr Paul Mellon 4/1
5 ROYAL PINNACLE E Johnson B Hills Mrs V Ketteley 9/1
6 BRIDGE OF GUARDS P Waldron Henry Candy Mr L Holliday 14/1
7 LIME GROVE E Hide C Hill Mr C Hill 14/1
8 RED EMERALD A Murray M Kauntze Mrs C Parks 14/1
9 FOSTERBRIDGE P Eddery C Brittain Foster Refrigerators UK 16/1
10 HORACE MARTIN R Fox C Brittain Miss D Ismay 20/1
11 KING FOR A DAY G Baxter P Cole Mr J Manley 20/1
12 SICALU G Starkey M Stoute Mr G White 20/1
13 WOODCHAT C Eccleston T Fairhurst Mr J Turney 20/1
14 SILVER LORD M Johnston C Brittain Me C Elliot 33/1
15 THREE BARS J Mercer Paul Kelleway Mrs G Kelleway 33/1
16 TUTHILL LAD B Raymond D Weeden Mr D Miller 33/1
17 RAGALA R Marshall W Marshall Mrs C Elliot 33/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 14th June 1977, and the winner, a bay colt by Comedy Star out of Cawstons Pride, won a first prize of £15,386 (equivalent to £98,000 in 2020) Over round 134%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
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