Coventry Stakes
Group 2, Ascot 15:05 £175,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 6f, Class 1
Tweet Tuesday 18th June 2024

What a finish! 80/1 shot Rashabar wins the Coventry Stakes in a photo at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/LHBEgZLjXn

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2024

1 Rashabar 80/1
2 Electrolyte 40/1
3 Columnist 50/1
22 ran NR: Andesite Distances: nse, hd, ½l
Time: 1m 13.90s (slow by 1.60s)

Wearing the famous Sangster colours that belong to Manton Thoroughbreds, 18-year-old Billy Loughnane guided Rashabar – a maiden after two previous races – to victory over a pair of further long-priced outsiders, Electrolyte and Columnist.

The winner, who became trainer Brian Meehan’s first success at the meeting since Bacchus won the Wokingham Handicap in 2018, raced on the far side of the course, while the placed horses came stands’ side.

In a very tight finish, Rashabar won by a nose, with a head between Electrolyte and Columnist. Camille Pissarro, the 4/1 favourite, faded after holding a prominent position on the far side and eventually finished eleventh.

Meehan said: “Tremendous, this feels amazing. Dare I say, it was not a huge surprise. He’s felt very good since Chester and everything has gone really well with him throughout. 

“Sean Levey said to me after Chester, that when a horse runs around Chester, it’s like having two runs – they learn so much – especially for a two-year-old, who had only run once. He has been training so well at home and the team have done a tremendous job. We got to 48 hours ago and we thought we were in good shape.

“Sean Levey comes and helps us with everything and has obviously got first choice of rides. Shashi Righton [jockey agent] looks after Billy as well, so we get to use Billy when we can – he’s a great kid, a lovely way about him and wonderful with people. The world is his oyster as far as the horse business is concerned.”

When asked about how special it was to win the race with a horse carrying the Manton Thoroughbred colours, Meehan said: "It is. You can try and keep a lid on things now, but we'll draw breath in an hour or so and take some pleasure out of it. It's just very special."

On where the horse might run next, he said: “We shall see. I’ve always liked the idea of the Prix Morny. The July Stakes would be too soon but the Richmond Stakes is attractive. Obviously, we have to think about G1 races… maybe a Breeders’ Cup by the end of the year.”

Billy Loughnane said: “Wow, what a feeling! I haven’t even been riding two years yet. I had my 200th career winner last night at Windsor, and I came here this week just praying I would manage to get on the board with one. To do it so early is a massive relief, and I can’t thank everyone from Brian Meehan’s and everyone involved. I was behind Sean [Levey] and he had to ride for Mr Hannon, and I was very lucky to get the opportunity.

"Brian was very confident coming into the race. Rashabar was very tough and had to do it the hard way. I wasn't 100 percent sure I had won, I just kept driving away. I looked up at the big telly there and I thought I might have won but you never know for certain.

"This is the best feeling in the world. You grow up watching races like this. It's always been a dream of mine to try and win one, it's my first Group race in the UK and it means a lot.”

Sam Sangster, manager of Manton Thoroughbreds, said: “An unbelievable amount of pride with that horse crossing the line. I’m pretty much in tears behind my sunglasses. It was amazing. Brian believed in the horse from day one. We came here with, I really did feel, a big chance. 

"The owners are big supporters of mine and I'm blown away. There was a reason I set the syndicate up ten years ago, to keep the colours going. We have a lot of runners, it's been fantastic in the last couple of years. We had Isaac Shelby last year and this fellow this year. I am a bit lost for words and emotional, especially when you talk about the colours and my old man."

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

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (10)    Rashabar 2 9-3 Brian Meehan Billy Loughnane 80/1
2 (18) nse Electrolyte 2 9-3 Archie Watson Hollie Doyle 40/1
3 (15) hd Columnist 2 9-3 Richard Fahey Oisin Orr 50/1
4 (23) ½ Cool Hoof Luke 2 9-3 Andrew Balding Silvestre De Sousa 40/1
5 (16) nk Al Qudra 2 9-3 Charlie Appleby William Buick 9/1
6 (20) nk Symbol Of Honour 2 9-3 Charlie Appleby Mickael Barzalona 6/1
7 (11) ½ Cowardofthecounty 2 9-3 Joseph O'Brien Dylan Browne McMonagle 11/2
8 (21) hd Star Anthem 2 9-3 Clive Cox Richard Kingscote 28/1
9 (14) 1 Angelo Buonarroti 2 9-3 Raphael E Freire David Egan 16/1
10 (13) ½ Nascimento 2 9-3 Michael Bell Jamie Spencer 80/1
11 (2) ¾ Camille Pissarro 2 9-3 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 4/1F
12 (6) nk Catalyse 2 9-3 Richard Fahey James Doyle 18/1
13 (4) ½ The Actor 2 9-3 Richard Hannon Sean Levey 9/1
14 (21) 1¾ Turners Cross 2 9-3 Mrs John Harrington Shane Foley 100/1
15 (12) 1 Midnight Strike 2 9-3 Joseph O'Brien Oisin Murphy 28/1
16 (5) ½ Mr Chaplin 2 9-3 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 28/1
17 (3) 1½ Ingot 2 9-3 John & Thady Gosden Kieran Shoemark 28/1
18 (7) ¾ Yah Mo Be There 2 9-3 Richard Spencer Tom Marquand 17/2
19 (9) ¾ Francisco's Piece 2 9-3 Adrian Paul Keatley Paul Mulrennan 25/1
20 (1) 4½ Zminiature t 2 9-3 Dylan Cunha Rhys Clutterbuck 150/1
21 (22) 8 Arran 2 9-3 Paul & Oliver Cole David Probert 16/1
22 (8) 3¾ Up The Clarets 2 9-3 Iain Jardine Andrew Mullen 200/1
NR 2 (19) Andesite 2 9-3 K R Burke NON RUNNER

COVENTRY STAKES
Previous results

YEAR WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY OWNER AGE/WEIGHT SP

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