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 1998 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 RED SEA T Quinn Paul Cole Prince Fahd Salman 6/1
2 BE THE CHIEF Pat Eddery Terry Mills Mrs Stephanie Merrydew 7/1
3 ACCESS ALL AREAS Mick Kinane J E Mulhem J E Mulhem 9/1
4 MUTAAHAB Richard Hills Ed Dunlop Hamdan Al Maktoum 10/1
5 BERTOLINI Frankie Dettori John Gosden Sheikh Mohammed 6/1
6 EMILY'S LUCKY CHARM Kieren Fallon Sir Michael Stoute Maktoum Al Maktoum 9/2 fav
7 RED DELIRIUM Richard Hughes Richard Hannon Terry Neill 25/1
8 RED PRAIRIE Micky Fenton Michael Bell Terry Neill 20/1
9 CABALLERO Ray Cochrane Clive Brittain Sheikh Marwan Al Maktoum 33/1
10 CHAMPAGNE RIDER John Reid Kevin McAuliffe Highgrove Developments Ltd 14/1
11 QUEENSLAND STAR Gary Carter Jack Berry The Right Angle Club 12/1
12 CHOMPER Allan Mackay Mick Channon Mick Channon 33/1
13 ASSURED MOVEMENTS Kevin Darley Clive Brittain Peter Head 66/1
14 SERGEANT YORK George Duffield Charles Smith A E Needham 50/1
15 TONY TIE T Sprake Bill Turner Frank Brady 33/1
16 THUNDER DRAGON Olivier Peslier Richard Hannon Lucayan Stud 10/1
17 JAGUAR Dane O'Neill Gay Kelleway Adrian Fitzpatrick 33/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 16th June 1998, and the winner, a bay colt by Barathea out of Up Anchor, won a first prize of £29,775 (equivalent to £54,000 in 2020) Over round 126%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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