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 2012 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 DAWN APPROACH Kevin Manning Jim Bolger Mrs J Bolger/ J P Spain 7/2
2 OLYMPIC GLORY Dane O'Neill Richard Hannon Mrs J Wood 20/1
3 CRISTOFORO COLOMBO Joseph O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Smith, Magnier,Tabor 13/2
4 SIR PRANCEALOT Richard Hughes Richard Hannon Andrew Tinkler 3/1 fav
5 ARTIGIANO Frankie Dettori Mahmood Al Zarooni Godolphin 12/1
6 HELENE SUPER STAR Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien Allen, Magnier, Smith, Tabor 10/1
7 LEITIR MOR Ronan Whelan Jim Bolger Mrs J Bolger 66/1
8 INDIAN JADE Phillip Makin Kevin Ryan Michael Beaumont 40/1
9 MASTER OF WAR Jimmy Fortune Richard Hannon Mohammed Saeed Al Shah 50/1
10 THE TAJ Paul Hanagan Richard Hannon Hamdan Al Maktoum 20/1
11 HEAVY METAL Silvestre De Sousa Mark Johnston Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed 20/1
12 DARK EMERALD Fran Berry Brendan Powell K Rhatigan 200/1
13 BADDILINI George Baker Alan Bailey Mrs A Shone/Mrs V Hubbard 100/1
14 WHITFIELD William Buick Jeremy Noseda Mrs Susan Roy 100/1
15 ENGLISHMAN Michael Hills Charlie Hills Qatar Racing Ltd 8/1
16 LIVING DESERT Kirsty Milczarek James Toller GB Partnership 100/1
17 KING DRAGON Martin Dwyer Brian Meehan Trelawny 50/1
18 NEW PEARL Johnny Murtagh David Brown Qatar Racing Ltd25/1
19 FUNK SOUL BROTHER Darryll Holland Charlie Hills Phil Cunningham 20/1
20 TOP BOY Joe Fanning Derek Shaw Brian Johnson 100/1
21 PARTY ROYAL Mirco Demuro Mark Johnston D & G Mercer 66/1
22 GOLDEN CHOPSTICKS Luke Morris Ron Harris Anisska Racing Ltd 100/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 19th June 2012, and the winner, a chestnut colt by New Approach out of Hymn of the Dawn, won a first prize of £48,203 (equivalent to £58,000 in 2020) Over round 127%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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