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 1927 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 FAIRWAY T Weston Frank Butters Lord Derby 7/1
2 CARAQUETTE R Perryman C Leader Lord Beaverbrook 20/1
3 SPEYSIDE A Balding P Gilpin Lt-Col Giles Loder 20/1
4 DESERT SUN B Carslake C Peck Mr Jim Joel 6/1
5 GRANDMASTER J Thwaites Archer Lord Glanely 20/1
6 FIRE BRIGADE Joe Childs Fred Darling Lord Dewar 20/1
7 QUICKLIME Harry Wragg Crawford Sir Victor Sassoon 20/1
8 CATHARIS C Elliott Jack Jarvis Lord Rosebery 20/1
9 EXETER J Leach Cottrill Mrs S Whitburn 100/30 fav
10 FARHAD C Smirke R Dawson HH Aga Khan 8/1
11 WILLONETTE colt Henri Jelliss Alec Taylor Mr W M Cazalet 33/1
12 WOOLHAMPTON H Beasley O Bell Sir H Cunliffe-Owen 20/1
13 MARITZA colt F Lnne Moreton Mr F Gretton 33/1
14 NORWEST J Kirby Nugent Mrs D Harris 5/1
15 POMMERINO F Fox Templeman Sir H Hirst 33/1
16 JOSEPHUS Fred Winter Walter Earl Mr Solly Joel 33/1
17 PICTORALAS R James Dundas Sir George Noble 33/1
18 MARKET GIRL colt J Brennan Alec Taylor Mr Washington Singer 33/1
19 FASTER J Evans Reg Day Mr R D Cohen 33/1
20 SIMON OF SALOP H Leach Leach jnr Sir Daniel Cooper 33/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 14th June 1927 and the winner, a bay colt by Phalaris out of Scapa Flow, won a first prize was 1715 sovereigns (equivalent to £91,000 in 2020) Over round 134%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
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1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927