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The 2018 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot

Friday 22nd June 2018

About The Coventry Stakes of Royal Ascot

The Coventry Stakes was established in 1890, and it currently runs on opening day of the 5-day Royal Ascot meeting in June at Ascot Racecourse in England. The Group 2 race is open 2-year-olds and is contested on the turf at a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 meters).  

The most recent winner in 2017 was Rajasinghe (11-1), whose thrilling climax victory was a photo finish and the first Royal Ascot winner for jockey Steve Donohoe and trainer Richard Spencer, 28 won the race in just his second season with a license. Rajasinghe became just the 3rd winner in the last 17 years to win the race at greater than 8-1 odds, and the biggest priced winner during that stretch was War Command (20-1) in 2013 trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Eleven of the last 12 Coventry Stakes winners entered the race undefeated with only 2015 winner Buratino (6-1) having been beaten before capturing the Coventry.  

The Coventry Stakes often features a large field, and the winning results of more competitively-priced juveniles suggests very few horses have a fighting chance. The major fancies are worthy of respect and especially Aidan O'Brien as the leading trainer in the Coventry.

Coventry Stakes Facts and Figures

• The Coventry Stakes was named after the 9th Earl of Coventry, who served as the Master of the Buckhounds in 1890.
• The race was originally classified as Group 3 in 1971, and it was promoted to Group 2 level in 2004. 
• 14 of the last 17 winners were priced 8/1 or less, and 11 of those priced 11/2 or less
• The leading jockey with a record 9 wins is Sir Gordon Richards (1932-1951).
• The leading trainer with a record 8 wins is Aidan O’Brien (1997-2016).