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 1979 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 VARINGO B Taylor H R Price PTP Plant Hire Ltd 11/8 fav
2 LONDON BELLS L Piggott M V O'Brien Mr R Sangster 7/2
3 FINAL STRAW G Starkey M Stoute Mr J Wigan 11/1
4 POYLE CRUSHER B Rouse Reavey Mr C Wiggins 20/1
5 SCURRY COUNTY W Swinburn D Weld Mr J O'Neill 20/1
6 JUST AMBER O Gray T Fairhurst C Newton Jnr Ltd 50/1
7 SOCKS UP J Reid R Houghton Miss P Major 11/1
8 DAVIDGALAXY AFFAIR P Eddery N Callaghan Roldvale Ltd 14/1
9 KELLORD S Cauthen B Hills Mr A Shead 18/1
10 ENTRE FANCY C Roche Fennin Mr W Fennin 20/1
11 CZERNIN E Hide C Brittain Mr C Elliot 25/1
12 JOHN O'GROATS W Carson J Winter Mr D Prenn 25/1
13 STOUT P Cook Beeson Mr C Fergus 25/1
14 BROWNE ECLIPSE G Curran L Browne Mr Y Tanimoto 50/1
15 EYE OF THE WIND T Sturrock Berwicke Mr D Lark 50/1
16 NAKHLI D McKay R Houghton Sheikh Mohammed 50/1
17 RAVENS TOWER R Marshall W Marshall Wheatley Leisure Ltd 50/1
18 PROSPECTORS SECRET L Olsen W Marshall Mr A Bushby 50/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 19th June 1979, and the winner, a brown colt by Saulingo out of Vraiment, won a first prize of £21,162 (equivalent to £109,000 in 2020) Over round 132%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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