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 1985 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SURE BLADE B Thomson B Hills Sheikh Mohammed 3/1 fav
2 MOORGATE MAN P Eddery Ron Boss Mr D King 15/2
3 CLIVEDEN G Starkey G Harwood Mr A Speelman 9/1
4 MAZAAD S Cauthen H Cecil Sheikh Mohammed 7/2
5 BRAVO FOX M J Kinane D Weld Mr B Firestone 16/1
6 CELTIC HEIR G Duffield Pritchard-Gordon Mr W Du Pont III 33/1
7 NOMINATION T Quinn P Cole Mr F Salman 4/1
8 NATIVE WIZARD A Murray H Thomson-Jones Hamdan Al-Maktoum 10/1
9 AL DIWAN L Piggott M Salaman Mr A Solfronou 20/1
10 ANDARTIS G Baxter B Hobbs Mrs H Cambanis 33/1
11 FOR DEAR LIFE W R Swinburn A Jarvis Mr J Rogers 33/1
12 FULL FLOW W Carson M O'Toole Mrs M O'Toole 33/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 18th June 1985, and the winner, a bay colt by Kris out of Double Lock, won a first prize of £21,488 (equivalent to £67,000 in 2020) Over round 121%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
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