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 1966 Group 2 6 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 BOLD LAD Lake P Prendergast Beatrice, Lady Granard 4/6 fav
2 DONATED S Clayton Boyd-Rochfort Lady Zia Wernher 13/2
3 BOSWORTH FIELD E Hide Elsey Mr H Joel 100/8
4 FIRE BRIGADE P Cook J Jarvis Lord Rosebery 100/6
5 KINDEST L Piggott Reavey Mr J Earl 8/1
6 ROYAL PALACE Breasley Murless Mr H Joel 100/7
7 PADDYKIN G Lewis Ingham Mrs S Jacobson 100/6
8 GOLDEN PAL R Hutchinson Connolly Mr M Bergi 20/1
9 TUDOR KING D Smith G Brooke Major D McCalmont 20/1
10 FLITCH J Roe D Thom Mr F Harris 33/1
11 OPEN HOURS D Keith Hanley Mr D Legget 33/1
12 PEARLY PATH J Lindley Mason Mr R Mason 33/1
13 GANADOR B Taylor John Winter Mr D Prenn 33/1
14 TICKLE ME J Sime H Murless (Ireland) Mr R Reynolds junior 33/1
15 EL MIGHTY J Mercer Hanley Mr A Tslatalos 33/1
16 FIVE OAKS F Durr Hollinshead Mr L Pugh 33/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 14th June 1966, and the winner, a bay colt by Bold Ruler out of Born Pride, won a first prize of £6020 (equivalent to £115,000 in 2020) Over round 142%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
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