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 1980 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 RECITATION G Starkey G Harwood Mr A Bodie 11/1
2 MOTAVATO S Cauthen B Hills Mr R Sangster 2/1 fav
3 BEL BOLIDE W Carson J Tree K Abdulla 9/2
4 ANOTHER REALM P Robinson F Durr Mrs D Goldstein 15/2
5 MASTER THATCH A Murray M O'Toole Mr A Shead 14/1
6 HEXGREAVE STAR J Mercer Hobson Sir J Eastwood 33/1
7 PLUM LANE J Matthias I Balding Mr Paul Mellon 8/1
8 CUT THROAT P Waldron H Candy Captain M Clark 9/1
9 TOM THE TRAVELLER P Eddery N Callaghan Mr C Dodson 10/1
10 LIGHT HERE W Swinburn L Browne Mrs L Browne 11/1
11 LORD WIMPY L Piggott R Hannon Tulse J & D Ltd 20/1
12 I'LL SEE YOU B Taylor C Brittain Captain M Lemos 33/1
13 QUEENSBURY BOY Alan Bond D Dale Mrs B Carvalho 33/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 17th June 1980, and the winner, a brown colt by Elocutionist out of Irish Party, won a first prize of £17,688 (equivalent to £78,000 in 2020) Over round 128%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
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1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
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1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980