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 2006 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 HELLVELYN Ted Durcan Bryan Smart Sheikh Rashin Bin Mohammed 4/1 jt fav
2 MAJOR CADEAUX Richard Hughes Richard Hannon Woodcock, Pickford, Mort 11/2
3 TARIQ Alan Munro Peter Chapple-Hyam Al Homaizi & Al Sagar 12/1
4 KALGOORLIE Shane Kelly Jeremy Noseda Sheikh Marwan Al Maktoum 66/1
5 JO'BURG Mick Kinane Amanda Perrett A D Spence 12/1
6 LA NEIGE Tony Culhane Mick Channon Ridgeway Downs Racing Club 25/1
7 MUBAASHIR Frankie Dettori Ed Dunlop Atiq Ejebi 20/1
8 SADEEK Neil Callan Kevin Ryan John Browne 10/1
9 PRINCE GOLAN Daragh O'Donohoe Kevin Ryan Mr & Mrs J D Cotton 50/1
10 BABY STRANGE Robbie Fitzpatrick P A Blockley Market Avenue Racing Club 10/1
11 CAPTAIN MARVELOUS Michael Hills Barry Hills Hon R J Arculli 33/1
12 EVERYMANFORHIMSELF Eddie Ahern James Given C Pickering & S Whitehead 20/1
13 JOHANNESBURG JACK Steve Drowne Hughie Morrison Michael Lynch 66/1
14 CARSON'S SPIRIT Chris Catlin Stuart Kittow K B Hodges 66/1
15 HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR Kieren Fallon Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier 4/1 jt fav
16 DEADSHOT KEEN Jamie Spencer Brian Meehan The Comic Strip Heroes 33/1
17 CHJIMES Pat Smullen Karl Burke Phillip Richards 33/1
18 BALTIMORE JACK Dean McKeown Richard Whitaker Clipper Group Holdings 66/1
19 HAMMERS BOY Wayne Lordan Tommy Stack Hammersboy.com Syndicate 25/1
20 TUDOR PRINCE Jimmy Fortune Brian Meehan Wyck Hall Stud 100/1
21 ZAFONICAL STORM Kerrin McEvoy Brendan Duke Briton Internation 100/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 20th June 2006, and the winner, a grey colt by Ishiguru out of Cumbrian Melody, won a first prize of £45,424 (equivalent to £67,000 in 2020) Over round 125%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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