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 1901 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 STERLING BALM Otto Madden J Watts Major Joicey 2/1 fav
2 PORT BLAIR Henry Sam Darling Mr J Gubbins 5/1
3 HENRY OF NAVARRE filly Lester Reiff Huggins Mr W C Whitney 100/8
4 ST BRIAVELS Fred Rickaby H Enoch Mr Douglas Baird 20/1
5 WATERTOWER Jenkins Leigh Mr Frank Gardner 20/1
6 CAIRNRYAN Kempton Cannon John Ryan Mr J H Houldsworth 20/1
7 PRINCE FLORIZEL Herbert Jones Leach Mr H J King 20/1
8 ROYAL LANCER Sam Loates W Waugh Sir J Blundell Maple 20/1
9 MELTON colt J H Martin Gilbert Mr J Musker 5/1
10 LADAS colt C Thorp Robinson Mr J E Platt 20/1
11 ECILA Morny Cannon Richard Marsh Duke of Devonshire 8/1
12 RAVENSBURY filly W Lane Sam Pickering Mr Cecil Howard 20/1
13 EDEN II Danny Maher Blackwell Mr Pierre Lorillard 20/1
14 POMPEII W Halsey Reg Day Sir E Vincent 20/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 18th June 1901 and the winner, a bay filly by Friars Balsam out of Yesterling, won a first prize was 1834 sovereigns (equivalent to £227,000 in 2020) Over round 129%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
1900 1901