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 1999 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 FASLIYEV Mick Kinane Aidan O'Brien Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor 15/8 fav
2 RED PEPPER Olivier Peslier Jeremy Noseda Lucayan Stud 5/1
3 CORNELIUS Jimmy Fortune Paul Cole Sir George Meyrick 8/1
4 LAUNFAL Richard Hughes Richard Hannon Lord Howard De Walden 25/1
5 MOUNT ABU Gerald Mosse Peter Chapple-Hyam Garry Seidler & Andy Smith 20/1
6 DON PUCCINI J Stack Bryan Smart The Tenors 16/1
7 AREYDHA Frankie Dettori Mick Channon Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum 15/2
8 BEE EIGHT Ray Cochrane David Elsworth J Wotherspoon 25/1
9 BARATHEA GUEST Philip Robinson George Margarson John Guest Racing 16/1
10 LINCOLN DANCER Nigel Day Geoff Lewis Michael Baker 20/1
11 CEDAR MASTER Paul Doe R J O'Sullivan Robert Allen 100/1
12 DAY JOURNEY Kieren Fallon Ed Dunlop Maktoum Al Maktoum 9/1
13 JAMESTOWN John Egan Charles Smith A E Needham 100/1
14 DIGITAL IMAGE Dane O'Neill Richard Hannon Kelico Ltd 16/1
15 DUKE OF ASTON Gary Stevens Alan Jarvis Grant & Bowman Ltd 33/1
16 TAKE FLITE Martin Dwyer William Muir The Wheet Partnership 50/1
17 COTE SOLEIL Steve Drowne Mick Channon Mrs Evelyn Hankinson 25/1
18 ANTHEMION Willie Ryan Patrick Haslem The Coutts McGregor Clan 100/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 15th June 1999, and the winner, a bay colt by Nureyev out of Mr P's Princess, won a first prize of £35,730 (equivalent to £63,000 in 2020) Over round 131%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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