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 2001 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 LANDSEER Jamie Spencer Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier, M Tabor 20/1
2 FIREBREAK Kieren Fallon Ian Balding Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds 14/1
3 MESHAHEER Frankie Dettori David Loder Hamdan Al Maktoum 2/1 fav
4 REDBACK Richard Hughes Richard Hannon The Waney Racing Group 20/1
5 MAHSUSIE Johnny Murtagh Francis Ennis Mrs Norah Kennedy 12/1
6 ROCK OF GIBRALTAR Mick Kinane Aidan O'Brien Sir Alex Ferguson 10/1
7 HIGHDOWN Steve Drowne Mick Channon Mrs W W Fleming 25/1
8 TWILIGHT BLUES Brett Doyle Brian Meehan Mrs Susan Roy 20/1
9 MILLION PERCENT Neil Callan Karl Burke Platinum Racing Club 33/1
10 DARK SCORCERER Darryll Holland Alan Jarvis The Aston Partnership 25/1
11 LASCOMBES Olivier Peslier Jeremy Noseda Kilboy Estate 25/1
12 WISHMASTER Ted Durcan Mark Tompkins Mrs A Lovat 20/1
13 REHEARSAL HALL Jimmy Fortune John Gosden Robert Sangster 14/1
14 RESPLENDENT CEE Pat Eddery Peter Harris Resplendent Racing Partnership 20/1
15 WESTERN VERSE T Quinn Sir Henry Cecil Khaled Abdulla 11/4
16 TRIPLE PLAY Gerald Mosse Brian Meehan Matham Investments 33/1
17 MISTER BENJI Dean McKeown James Given Mr & Mrs D J Smart 33/1
18 LAKE VERDI Kevin Darley Ben Hanbury P Wilden 33/1
19 MISTER WATERLINE Dane O'Neill David Evans M W Lawrence 200/1
20 LADY DOMINATRIX George Duffield Nerys Duffield J Dutfield 66/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 19th June 2001, and the winner, a bay colt by Danehill out of Sabria, won a first prize of £36,000 (equivalent to £61,000 in 2020) Over round 140%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909
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1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
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1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
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2000 2001