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 1991 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 DILUM Alan Munro Paul Cole Prince Fahd Salman 11/10 fav
2 DR DEVIOUS Pat Eddery Peter Chapple-Hyam Robert Sangster 9/2
3 CASTEDDU Tony Cruz J W Payne Ettore Landi 40/1
4 COMPUTER KID Kieren Fallon George Moore Datasport 66/1
5 SHOWBROOK Bruce Raymond Richard Hannon A F Budge Equine 5/1
6 TENACITY Willie Carson Jack Berry David Thomson 33/1
7 WILDE RUFO Frankie Dettori Paul Kelleway G Mazza 25/1
8 COMBINATION Dean McKeown Mrs J Ramsden David Thomson 16/1
9 MASTER PLANNER T Quinn Charles Cyzer R M Cyzer 66/1
10 WINDPOWER John Carroll Jack Berry Robert Sangster 25/1
11 SYLVAN SABRE John Williams Pat Mitchell Mrs R A Johnson 12/1
12 ELTON LEDGER Lester Piggott Jack Berry G P Fitzgerald 66/1
13 SPANISH STORM Paul Eddery Tony Hide Victor Sujanani 33/1
14 AMADEUS AES Nigel Day Dave Morris John Peters 66/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 18th June 1991, and the winner, a brown colt by Tasso out of Yanuka, won a first prize of £27,648 (equivalent to £61,000 in 2020) Over round 119%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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