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 1995 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ROYAL APPLAUSE Walter Swinburn Barry Hills Maktoum Al Maktoum 13/2
2 RUSSIAN REVIVAL Brent Thomson Peter Chapple-Hyam Robert Sangster 11/4 jt fav
3 SOUTH SALEM Frankie Dettori David Loder Mrs Virginia Kraft Payson 8/1
4 TAGULA Michael Hills Ian Balding Robert & Elizabeth Hitchins 14/1
5 DOVEBRACE Michael Wigham Alan Bailey David Jones 20/1
6 SEA DANE Mick Kinane Peter Harris Carat Gold Connections 12/1
7 TAKE A LEFT Kieren Fallon Mrs J R Ramsden Bernard Hathaway 33/1
8 ALLIED FORCES Willie Ryan Sir Henry Cecil A Altayer 11/4 jt fav
9 WHAT FUN Cash Asmussen Richard Hannon Noodles Racing 25/1
10 GOTHENBERG Darryll Holland Mark Johnston Brian Teardley Construction 10/1
11 RABICAN Richard Hills Giles Bravery Michael Hwang 66/1
12 OBERON'S BOY Pat Eddery Brain Meehan Edward Winfield 33/1
13 WISAM John Reid Richard Hannon Mohammed Suahil 12/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 20th June 1995, and the winner, a bay colt by Waajib out of Flying Melody, won a first prize of £26,080 (equivalent to £51,000 in 2020) Over round 125%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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