Goodwood horse racing course info

Goodwood racecourse is world-class horse racing at its most relaxed and chic. Its not called glorious Goodwood for no reason. The Duke of Richmond, brought horse racing to his estate in 1802. Today Goodwood is well known around the globe as being one of the most beautiful racecourses in the world and the new century sees Goodwood setting ever higher standards of style and quality for racegoers.

Set on top of the Sussex Downs, Goodwood is not only a breathtaking backdrop for some of the very finest flat racing, but it is also one of the world's greatest venues for entertaining in international sport. Goodwood continues to stage twenty one days of the finest racing in the sporting calendar featuring Glorious Goodwood, a five day Festival featuring top class racing and one of the highlights of Britain's social and sporting calendar.

Notable Races Celebration Mile
The Celebration Mile is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile at Goodwood Racecourse in late August.

Cocked Hat Stakes
The Cocked Hat Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings run over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs (2,213 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse in May. The race was given its present name in 2007, having previously been known as the Predominate Stakes, named after the horse Predominate, winner of the Goodwood Cup in 1961. The Predominate Stakes had traditionally been the last trial race for the Epsom Derby, but it had become one of the weaker trials, with no subsequent Derby winner contesting the race after Troy won both races in 1979.

The new identity signifies a break with tradition, with less emphasis placed on Classic aspirations. Leaving aside the race's poor record as a trial, some significant future talent can be seen within its roll of honour, including such names as Jeune, winner of the 1994 Melbourne Cup, and Dubai Millennium, victorious in the 2000 Dubai World Cup. The race has been run at its present distance since 2001, prior to which the distance was 1 mile 1 furlong and 192 yards (1,986 metres). Prior to 1988 it was run over 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414 metres).

Goodwood Cup
The Goodwood Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. Unusually for a flat race there are no starting stalls - the horses start near the winning post and removing the stalls in time for the finish would not be possible. The race was first run in 1812 with a distance of 2 miles 5 furlongs. It was notably won by the great Hungarian filly Kincsem in 1878. The race was shortened to 2 miles 4 furlongs in 1990 and to 2 miles in 1991. As the Goodwood Cup was reduced in length, the distance of the secondary staying race at the meeting - the Goodwood Stakes - was increased. Together with the 2 miles 2 furlongs (3,219 m) Doncaster Cup and 2½ mile (4,023 m) Ascot Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup is part of Britain's Stayers' Triple Crown for horses capable of running longer distances. Only six horses have ever swept the series; Le Moss is the only horse to do it twice.

Gordon Stakes
The Gordon Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. It was first run in 1902 and is named after the title of Duke of Gordon, one of the dukedoms held by the Duke of Richmond, owner of Goodwood Racecourse. It is one of the principal trial races for the St. Leger. Eight winners of the Gordon Stakes have gone on to win the St. Leger - Prince Palatine (1911), Firdaussi (1932), Athens Wood (1971), Commanche Run (1984), Minster Son, Nedawi, Millenary and Sixties Icon.

Height of Fashion Stakes
The Height of Fashion Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong and 192 yards (1,986 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse in May. The race was given its present name in 2007 to honour Height of Fashion, the dam of the top class racehorses Nashwan, Unfuwain and Nayef. Prior to this it had been known as the Lupe Stakes, named after Lupe, winner of the Epsom Oaks in 1970. As the Lupe Stakes it was a trial race for the Epsom Oaks, with Love Divine winning both races in 2000. Height of Fashion herself won the Lupe Stakes in 1982.

King George Stakes
The King George Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. It was first run in 1911, and is named after King George V, whose coronation took place that year.

Lennox Stakes
The Lennox Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July / early August. It was first run in 2000 and the inaugural race was won by Observatory, who later won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

The Lillie Langtry Fillies Stakes
The Lillie Langtry Fillies Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for thoroughbred fillies and mares. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 6 furlongs (2,816 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. It was first run in 2003 as a Listed race under the title of the Vodafone Fillies’ Stakes, with a registered name of the Gladness Stakes. In 2004 it was upgraded to a Group 3 race and the registered name was changed to the Lily Langtry Stakes, although the sponsored title remained the same. In 2005 the title was changed to the present name with a slight change to the spelling of Lillie. It is named after Lillie Langtry, British actress and mistress of King Edward VII.

March Stakes
The March Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs (2,816 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse in August. It was first run in 1965 and was restricted to three-year-olds only until older horses became eligible to run in 1999. During this time the race was a major trial race for the St. Leger Stakes, with Michelozzo winning both races in 1989. The race is named after the Earldom of March, one of the titles held by the Duke of Richmond, owner of Goodwood Racecourse.

Molecomb Stakes
The Molecomb Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. It was first run in 1829 and was restricted to two-year-old fillies between 1932 and 1980.

Nassau Stakes
The Nassau Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong and 192 yards (1,986 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. It was first run in 1840 and was restricted to three-year-old fillies only until 1975. The name of the race originated from the friendship between Charles Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond and Lennox and the House of Orange-Nassau. It gained Group 1 status in 1999. Jockey Nat Flatman won this race six times (1842, 1843, 1847, 1849, 1852, 1859).

Oak Tree Stakes
The Oak Tree Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for thoroughbred fillies and mares. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. It was first run in 1980 as the New Stand Stakes, so called because it was the first race at the meeting when a new grandstand was opened at the course by Queen Elizabeth II. The following year the race was named the Royal Wedding Day Stakes, as it took place on the same day as the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana. It has been known by its present name since 1982, named after the Oak Tree Racing Association at Santa Anita Park in California, a racecourse with which Goodwood is closely associated and who runs the Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap in late September. The race was promoted to Group 3 status in 2004, having previously been run as a Listed race.

Prestige Stakes
The Prestige Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse in late August. It was first run in 1974 as the Globtik Stakes, and was then known as the Waterford Candelabra Stakes from 1975, changing to its present name in 1989. The race was upgraded to Group 3 status in 1981.

Richmond Stakes
The Richmond Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. It was first run in 1877 and was named by 6th Duke of Richmond, whose family introduced racing to Goodwood. Although recent winners of the race have mostly been future sprinters or milers, in earlier years the Richmond Stakes was sometimes won by subsequent Derby winners. These include Pommern (1914) and Mahmoud (1935).

Select Stakes
The Select Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong and 192 yards (1,986 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse in September. It was first run in 1965 as the Valdoe Stakes, changing to its present name in 1986. Initially the race excluded three-year-olds, and from 1973-75 it was for three and four-year-olds only. In 1966 it was run as a handicap race. The quality of horses which have contested the race in recent years is exceptionally high for a Group 3. The recent roll of honour boasts such illustrious names as Singspiel and Moon Ballad, both subsequent winners of the Dubai World Cup. Further back, Dancing Brave won the Select Stakes in 1986 en route to victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. And to add to all of this, Alderbrook, the 1994 winner, subsequently won the Champion Hurdle!

Stardom Stakes
The Stardom Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile at Goodwood Racecourse in September. It was first run in 1978 as the Westhampnett Stakes, changing to the Chromacopy Stakes in 1983. The present name was introduced when the race was elevated to Listed status in 1987. Notable horses to have contested the race include Selkirk (winner in 1990), Almutawakel (second in 1997), and Fantastic Light (third in 1998).

Stewards Cup
The Stewards' Cup is a flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a straight 6 furlongs (1,207 m) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. It was first run in its present form in 1840, although from 1834 a trophy bearing the same name had been awarded by the senior steward at Goodwood to the winner of any selected race. The Stewards' Cup is now one of the leading sprint handicap races in Europe. Traditionally it was run on Tuesday (the opening day of the meeting) but it was moved to Saturday in the early 1990s. It was described by Peter Bromley (who commentated on every running for 40 years, from 1961 to 2000) as the most difficult race to commentate on.

Supreme Stakes
The Supreme Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse in September. It was first run in 1981 as the Harroways Stakes, changing to its present name and upgrading to Group 3 status in 1987.

Sussex Stakes
The Sussex Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. It was first run in 1841 and was originally a race for two-year-olds. This early version of the Sussex Stakes was often poorly contested and bears little resemblance to the race today. The present format dates back to 1878 when it became a race restricted to three-year-olds. Four-year-olds became eligible to take part in 1960, and five-year-olds and upwards have also been allowed to run since 1975.

Vintage Stakes
The Vintage Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at Goodwood Racecourse during the Glorious Goodwood meeting in late July or early August. It was first run in 1975 and has been won by several subsequent classic winners. These include future Derby winners Troy (1978), Dr Devious (1991) and Sir Percy (2005), and 2,000 Guineas winners Don't Forget Me (1986) and Mister Baileys (1993). In 2003 the race was promoted to Group 2 status, and since then it has been sponsored by Veuve Clicquot.  

Course Details Flat:
Right-handed with loop for longer races. Long run-in, but primarily sharp, particularly on downhill sprint course.

Effect Of Draw:
Low numbers best in sprints, though a fast start is equally important.


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Contact Goodwood racecourse

Goodwood Racecourse Ltd
Goodwood
Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0PS

Tel: 01243 755022
Fax: 01243 755025

e-mail: grog@goodwood.co.uk
Internet site: http://www.goodwood.co.uk/

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