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 1983 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CHIEF SINGER R Cochrane R Sheather Mr Jeff Smith 20/1
2 HEGEMONY L Piggott M O'Toole Mr D Scott 5/1
3 NOVELLO B Taylor J Winter R Bott Wigmore St Ltd 20/1
4 EXECUTIVE PRIDE D McHargue D Weld Mr B Firestone 9/1
5 GIMME PLEASURE A Murray E O'Grady Mr S Tao 6/1
6 OUR DYNASTY P Eddery Lambert Mr W Hobson 11/4 fav
7 SUPERLATIVE T Ives W O'Gorman Mrs P Yong 5/1
8 ANY BUSINESS G Sexton G Lewis Mrs V Lewis 12/1
9 KINGS ISLAND P Robinson C Brittain Mr D Scarfe 12/1
10 DERRY RIVER W Newnes Laing Mr P Goulandris 33/1
11 MIJAS GOLF J Reid P Cole Shawline Securities Ltd 33/1
12 YELLOW DOMINO P Waldron P Kelleway Esal Commodities Ltd 33/1
13 SYLVAN BARNUM G Duffield P Mitchell Mr D Johnson 50/1
14 JACK TAR E Johnson K Brassey Mr T Chick 66/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 14th June 1983, and the winner, a brown colt by Ballad Rock out of Principia, won a first prize of £21,519 (equivalent to £74,000 in 2020) Over round 121%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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