Coventry Stakes
Group 2, Ascot 15:05 £175,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 6f, Class 1
Tweet Tuesday 17th June 2025

1 Gstaad 7/2F
2 Do Or Do Not 80/1
3 Coppull 66/1
4 Andab 5/1
20 ran NR: Tricky Tel Distances: 3l, nk, ½l
Time: 1m 13.43s (slow by 0.93s)

An 11th win for Aidan O'Brien in this race 👏

GSTAAD is an emphatic winner of the Coventry Stakes 🏆#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/Bh10jyaUpv

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 17, 2025

In a performance that echoed the brilliance of his sire Starspangledbanner, Gstaad  lit up Royal Ascot with a commanding victory in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes, cruising three lengths clear of a 20-strong field and announcing himself as the latest jewel in the Ballydoyle crown.

Unbeaten in two starts, the strapping colt had shown raw talent when overcoming greenness to score on debut at Navan. But here, under a measured and confident ride from Ryan Moore, he looked a colt transformed—cruising down the centre of the track, isolated from the pack but unflustered, galloping relentlessly through the final two furlongs to leave a field of smart juveniles in his wake.

Outsiders Do Or Do Not  and Coppull ran career-bests to chase him home for Ed Walker and Clive Cox, but the spotlight belonged to Gstaad—both for the performance and the promise.

The victory handed Aidan O’Brien an astonishing 11th Coventry Stakes success, and in the absence of the injured Albert Einstein, it appears the Ballydoyle baton has passed seamlessly to another potential star.

“He looks a very good horse, doesn’t he?” said a visibly delighted O’Brien. “He’s big, scopey, and has a huge stride. He’s very genuine and has always worked like a proper one. You’d think he’ll stay further too, which gives us lots of options.”

There was particular praise for Moore’s ride:

“Ryan was very positive—he let him find his rhythm and the colt did the rest. He’s only had the one run, but he’s clearly learned plenty. We’re very lucky to have horses like him.”

Asked about future targets, O’Brien didn’t blink:

“Group Ones? I’d imagine so.”

As for the sidelined Albert Einstein, O’Brien was wistful:

“He’s the most different horse we’ve ever had—so quick and so big. Something very special.”

For Ed Walker, runner-up Do Or Do Not offered a pleasant shock:

“I was ready to run him in a novice at Carlisle! Full credit to the owner, Simon Sadler—he rolled the dice. He’s such a laidback horse at home, you wouldn’t know what you’ve got—but both Hector and Tom have said he’s smart.”

On a day when pedigrees, potential, and poise collided on the grandest stage, it was Gstaad who stood tallest—his Royal Ascot triumph as emphatic as it was elegant.

Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
£175,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 6f, Class 1
20 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (14)    Gstaad 2 9-3 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 7/2F
2 (5) 3 Do Or Do Not 2 9-3 Ed Walker Tom Marquand 80/1
3 (17) nk Coppull 2 9-3 Clive Cox David Probert 66/1
4 (20) ½ Andab 2 9-3 Joseph O'Brien Dylan Browne McMonagle 5/1
5 (9) hd Power Blue 2 9-3 Adrian Murray David Egan 14/1
6 (13) ¾ Tadej 2 9-3 Archie Watson Luke Morris 100/1
7 (4) 1 Raakeb 2 9-3 Richard Hannon Sean Levey 100/1
8 (2) ½ Bourbon Blues 2 9-3 Brian Meehan Billy Loughnane 50/1
9 (10) nk Rock On Thunder 2 9-3 Kevin Ryan Jim Crowley 14/1
10 (6) nse Warsaw 2 9-3 A P O'Brien Wayne Lordan 10/1
11 (19) 2¼ Postmodern 2 9-3 Hamad Al Jehani James Doyle 4/1
12 (12) nk Shaatir 2 9-3 Archie Watson Hollie Doyle 33/1
13 (8) hd American Gulf 2 9-3 Paul & Oliver Cole Oisin Murphy 12/1
14 (16) ¾ Super Soldier 2 9-3 K R Burke Clifford Lee 80/1
15 (3) hd Kolkata Knight 2 9-3 Tom Dascombe Pierre-Louis Jamin 50/1
16 (21) hd Gavoo 2 9-3 David Marnane Luke McAteer 33/1
17 (15) nk Military Code 2 9-3 Charlie Appleby William Buick 7/1
18 (11) ¾ Ballistic Missile 2 9-3 Richard Hannon Shane Foley 22/1
19 (7) 9½ Bone Marra 2 9-3 Ollie Sangster Christophe Soumillon 50/1
20 (18) 2½ Underwriter 2 9-3 Archie Watson James McDonald 20/1
NR 19 (1) Tricky Tel 2 9-3 Hugo Palmer NON RUNNER

COVENTRY STAKES
Previous results

YEAR WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY OWNER AGE/WEIGHT SP

2024 RASHABAR Brian Meehan Billy Loughnane Manton Thoroughbreds IX 2 9-03 80/1
2023 RIVER TIBER A P O'Brien Ryan Moore Tabor, Smith, Magnier, Westerberg, Brant 2 9-03 11/8F
2022 BRADSELL Archie Watson Hollie Doyle Victorious Racing 2 9-03 8/1
2021 BERKSHIRE SHADOW Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy Berkshire Parts & Panels Ltd No1 Fanclub 2-9-01 11/1
2020 NANDO PARRADO Clive Cox Adam Kirby Marie McCartan 2-9-01 150/1
2019 LORD GLITTERS Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith 2-9-01 15/8F
2018 CALYX John Gosden Frankie Dettori Khalid Abdullah 2-9-01 2/1F
2017 RAJASINGHE Richard Spencer Stevie Donohoe Rebel Racing 2-9-01 11/1
2016 CARAVAGGIO Aidan O’Brien Ryan Moore Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith 2-9-01 13/8F
2015 BURATINO Mark Johnston William Buick Godolphin 2-9-01 6/1
2014 THE WOW SIGNAL John Quinn Frankie Dettori Al Shaqab Racing 2-9-01 5/1JF
2013 WAR COMMAND Aidan O’Brien IRE J A Heffernan J Allen/Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith 2-9-01 20/1
2012 DAWN APPROACH Jim Bolger IRE Kevin Manning Jackie Bolger/J P Spain 2-9-01 7/2
2011 POWER Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier 2-9-01 4/1F
2010 STRONG SUIT Richard Hannon Richard Hughes Julie Wood 2-9-01 15/8F
2009 CANFORD CLIFFS Richard Hannon Richard Hughes The Heffer Syndicate 2-9-01 7/4F
2008 ART CONNOISSEUR Michael Bell Jamie Spencer Richard Green 2-9-01 8/1
2007 HENRYTHENAVIGATOR Aidan O’Brien IRE Michael Kinane Sue Magnier 2-9-01 11/4F
2006 HELLVELYN Bryan Smart Ted Durcan Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed 2-9-01 4/1JF
2005 RED CLUBS Barry Hills Michael Hills Ronnie Arculli 2-8-12 11/2
2004 ICEMAN John Gosden Kieren Fallon Cheveley Park Stud 2-8-12 5/1JF
2003 THREE VALLEYS Roger Charlton Richard Hughes Khalid Abdullah 2-8-12 7/1
2002 STATUE OF LIBERTY Aidan O’Brien IRE Michael Kinane Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier 2-8-12 5/2F
2001 LANDSEER Aidan O’Brien IRE Jamie Spencer Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier 2-8-12 20/1
2000 CD EUROPE Mick Channon Steve Drowne Circular Distributors Ltd 2-8-12 8/1
1999 FASLIYEV Aidan O’Brien IRE Michael Kinane Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier 2-8-12 15/8F
1998 RED SEA Paul Cole Richard Quinn Fahd Salman 2-8-12 6/1
1997 HARBOUR MASTER Aidan O’Brien IRE Christy Roche Sue Magnier 2-8-12 16/1
1996VERGLAS Kevin Prendergast IRE Willie Supple Chryss O'Reilly 2 8-12 9/1
1995 ROYAL APPLAUSE Barry Hills Walter Swinburn Maktoum Al Maktoum 2 8-12 13/2
1994 SRI PEKAN Paul Cole Richard Quinn Sultan Ahmad Shah 2 8-13 6/1
1993 STONEHATCH Peter Chapple-Hyam John Reid Robert Sangster 2 8-13 EvensF
1992 PETARDIA Geoff Wragg Walter Swinburn Mollers Racing 2 8-13 5/1CF
1991 DILUM Paul Cole Alan Munro Fahd Salman 2 8-13 11/10 F
1990 MAC'S IMP Bill O'Gorman Alan Munro Tamdown Ltd 2 8-13 2/1F
1989 ROCK CITY Richard Hannon Willie Carson A F Budge (Equine) Ltd 2 8-13 9/1
1988 HIGH ESTATE Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Jim Joel 2 8-13 10/11 F
1987 ALWAYS FAIR Michael Stoute Walter Swinburn Maktoum Al Maktoum 2 8-13 9/2
1986 CUTTING BLADE Lester Piggott Cash Asmussen Mahmoud Fustok 2 8-11 11/1
1985 SURE BLADE Barry Hills Brent Thomson Sheikh Mohammed 2 8-11 3/1F
1984 PRIMO DOMINIE Brian Swift John Reid Peter Wetzel 2 8-11 4/7F
1983 CHIEF SINGER Ron Sheather Ray Cochrane Jeff Smith 2 8-11 20/1
1982 HORAGE Matt McCormack Pat Eddery Ahmed Rachid 2 8-11 85/40
1981 RED SUNSET Guy Harwood Greville Starkey Paddy Burns 2 8-11 14/1
1980 RECITATION Guy Harwood Greville Starkey Anthony Bodie 2 8-11 11/1
1979 VARINGO Ryan Price Brian Taylor PTP Plant Hire Ltd 2 8-11 11/8F
1978 LAKE CITY Ryan Price Brian Taylor Harry Demetriou 2 8-11 7/1
1977 SOLINUS Vincent O'Brien IRE Lester Piggott Daniel Schwartz 2 8-11 7/4F
1976 CAWSTON'S CLOWN Neil Adam Taffy Thomas John Murrell 2 8-11 11/2