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 2000 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CD EUROPE Steve Drowne Mick Channon Circular Distributors 8/1
2 BRAM STOKER Richard Hughes Richard Hannon Alessandro Gaucci 4/1
3 MODIGLIANI Mick Kinane Aidan O'Brien Nagle, Magnier,Tabor 7/2 fav
4 EARL GREY Michael Tebbutt William Jarvis The Tea Clippers 20/1
5 TRIPLE BLUE Dane O'Neill Richard Hannon Jeff Smith 14/1
6 BARKING MAD Micky Fenton Michael Bell Christopher Wright 13/2
7 SHADOWLESS Philip Robinson Clive Brittain Sheikh Marwan Al Maktoum 25/1
8 STREGONE Pat Eddery Brian Mehan A Rovai 10/1
9 TARAS EMPEROR Kieren Fallon John Quinn Tara Leisure 13/2
10 IMPERIAL DANCER Craig Williams Mick Channon Imperial Racing 33/1
11 RARE OLD TIMES Lee Newman Nerys Duffield Graham Brown 20/1
12 ARMAGNAC T Quinn Duncan Sasse High Havens Stables 50/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 20th June 2000, and the winner, a chestnut colt by Royal Academy out of Woodland Orchid, won a first prize of £36,000 (equivalent to £62,000 in 2020) Over round 115%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
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2000