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 1997 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 HARBOUR MASTER Christy Roche Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier 16/1
2 DESERT PRINCE Olivier Peslier David Loder Lucayan Stud 3/1 fav
3 BOLD FACT Kieren Fallon Sir Henry Cecil Khaled Abdulla 7/1
4 DILIGENCE T Quinn Paul Cole The Blue Chip Group 10/1
5 HAYIL Michael Hills David Morley Hamdan Al Maktoum 12/1
6 SHADOW OF DOUBT John Reid Peter Chapple-Hyam Robert Sangster 7/1
7 SPEEDFIT TOO Gary Carter George Margarson John Guest Racing 100/1
8 SWIFT ALLIANCE David Harrison Reg Akehurst Bickerstaff Woolsey Racing 33/1
9 HICKORY Ray Cochrane M J Haynes G Steinberg 100/1
10 RUSTY BABE Mick Kinane John Quinn Mrs K Mapp 20/1
11 CHIPS Richard Hughes David Elsworth Lucayan Stud 8/1
12 BLUERIDGE DANCER Michael Tebbutt Brian Meehan Alan Cunliffe 16/1
13 BOLD EDGE Pat Eddery Richard Hannon Lady Whent & Friends 4/1
14 HADID Richard Hills Barry Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 14/1
15 OUT LIKE MAGIC John Egan David Evans Mrs E A Dawson 50/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 17th June 1997, and the winner, a bay colt by Bluebird out of Pharsala, won a first prize of £26,920 (equivalent to £50,000 in 2020) Over round 128%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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