Royal Ascot: Chesham Stakes

The Chesham Stakes, the opening race on the final day of the Royal meeting, is a Listed race over 7 furlongs for two-year-olds named after the 3rd Baron Chesham who served as Master of the Buckhounds in 1900-01. It was established in 1919, and it was originally contested over 5 furlongs, replacing the first leg of the Triennial Stakes which was first staged in 1848 when won by Elthiron. The race has an unusual restriction, being open only to horses sired by stallions who won over ten furlongs or more.  For a time the Chesham Stakes was contested over 6 furlongs, but was extended to 7 furlongs in 1996.
Early history:- The inaugural running of the first leg of the First Triennial Stakes over 5 furlongs, the forerunner of the Chesham Stakes, was on Tuesday 6th June 1848 when a field of 19 was headed by Elthiron, owned by Lord Eglinton, who beat Borneo and Jester by a head and the same. In 1919 the Triennial Stakes First leg was replaced by the Chesham Stakes and was run on Wednesday 18th June 1919 when Mr L Robinson's unnamed Decagone colt (7/4 fav) beat Fiddle de Dee and Pelope by 2 lengths and 3 lengths.
Chesham Stakes 1963 Listed race 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MESOPOTAMIA P Boothman Fetherstonhaugh Major V McCalmont 6/4 fav
2 ZODIAC D Smith G Brooke Mrs D McCalmont 11/2
3 FRIGOLET R Hutchinson J Jarvis Mr T Blackwell 20/1
4 BALLROSA J Lindley Gosden Mr H Allen 100/6
5 VIMY CADET S Smith Corbett Mrs J Pattison 100/8
6 CURSORIAL W Carr James Major L B Holliday 11/2
7 BASAN L Piggott Griffiths Mr D Griffiths 4/1
8 NO DANGER P Robinson J Jarvis Sir A Jarvis 100/8
9 FERNWOOD J Sime R Mason Mr S Cooper 20/1
10 MESSMATE Foley Black Mr F Black 20/1
11 MARGHERITA W Swinburn Ashworth Mr G Harrison 20/1
12 LUCKY LU W Williamson G Todd Lady Norrie 20/1
This race took place on Thursday 20th June 1963 and was won by a brown filly by Zarathrustra out of Agar's Plough, winning a first prize of £2245 (equivalent to £48,000 in 2020). Over round 137%
Chesham Stakes Listed race 7 furlongs 1919 (1848)
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