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 1996 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 VERGLAS Willie Supple Kevin Prendergast Mrs A J F O-Reilly 9/1
2 DAYLIGHT IN DUBAI Kevin Darley Peter Chapple-Hyam Peter Savill 25/1
3 DEADLY DUDLEY Mick Kinane Richard Hannon Lucayan Stud 7/4 fav
4 HULA PRINCE Jason Weaver Mark Johnston Maktoum Al Maktoum 20/1
5 HELLO Willie Ryan John Dunlop Sir Phillip Wroughton 20/1
6 SHOCK VALUE John Reid Sir Michael Stoute Seisuke Hata 7/1
7 FLETCHER Pat Eddery Paul Cole Fahd Salman 11/2
8 KUMAIT Olivier Peslier Saeed Bin Suroor Godolphin 14/1
9 TUSCANY Michael Hills Paul Cole Highclere Thoroughbreds 14/1
10 MASERATI MONK Brett Doyle Brian Meehan Three Bears Racing Partnership 33/1
11 SARATOGA RED Emma O'Gorman Bill O'Gorman T Mohan 100/1
12 JACK THE LAD Michael Tebbutt C Murray The Irish Connection 100/1
13 FUTURE PROSPECT Michael Roberts Mark Johnston C C Buckley 25/1
14 KAISER KACHE John Egan Kevin McAuliffe Peter Barclay 100/1
15 STATESMAN Richard Hughes Mick Channon Stephen Crown 8/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 18th June 1996, and the winner, a grey colt by Highest Honor out of Rahaam, won a first prize of £26,560 (equivalent to £51,000 in 2020) Over round 122%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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