Molecomb Stakes, Group 3 – Day 1
This race is named after a house on the Goodwood Estate named Molecomb that was originally built by the 3rd Duke of Richmond for his sister, Lady Sarah Lennox. The Molecomb Stakes was originally open to two-year-olds of either gender, but it was restricted to fillies in 1932. It was then changed to allow both colts and geldings in 1981.
Lennox Stakes, Group 2 – Day 1
This race is named after the Duke of Lennox, one of the dukedoms held by the Duke of Richmond, the owner of Goodwood Racecourse. This race replaced the Bewswing Stakes that used to be run at Newcastle. It was originally a Group 3 race, being promoted to a Group 2 event in 2003.
Vintage Stakes, Group 2 – Day 2
The Vintage Stakes came about in 1975 and it was originally a listed level race until it was promoted to Group 3 status in 1986 and Group 2 status in 2003. It started out being sponsored by Lanson Champagne and was called Lanson Champagne Vintage Stakes. Many winners of the Vintage Stakes have gone on to win one of the following year’s Classics.
Gordon Stakes, Group 3 – Day 2
This event has been a fixture at Goodwood for 115 years and is named after the Duke of Gordon. The Gordon Stakes can serve as a trial for the eagerly anticipated St. Leger Stakes, and nine horses have won both races.
Sussex Stakes, Group 1 – Day 2
The Sussex Stakes began life as a 6 furlong race for two-year-olds but it is now run over a distance of 1 mile open to horses aged three years or older. Named after the county in which the Goodwood Estate is situated, it takes place on the second day of the Glorious Goodwood Festival. The first Group 1 race of the festival is perfect for some horse racing betting.
Richmond Stakes, Group 2 – Day 3
This race is named after the Duke of Richmond, one of the dukedoms held by the owner of Goodwood Racecourse. Originally it allowed horses of any gender to participate but as of 1989 only two-year-old colts and geldings can enter. Several winners of the Richmond Stakes have gone on to win one or more of the following year’s Classics.
Lillie Langtry Stakes, Group 3 – Day 3
The event was born in 2003 and it was initially titled the Gladness Stakes, named after Gladness, a successful racehorse whose victories included the Goodwood Cup in 1958. The first running was classed at Listed level. The race was renamed and promoted to Group 3 status in 2004. It was named after Lillie Langtry, a British actress who was a mistress of King Edward VII.
Goodwood Cup, Group 1 – Day 3
The Goodwood Cup is one of the oldest horse races in the world, first being run in 1808. Having gone up and down in Group ratings often, for the 2017 running it’s classified as a Group One race. The Cup is one of the leading events for “stayers” – horses which specialise in racing over long distances. It is the second leg of the Stayers’ Triple Crown, along with the Ascot Gold Cup and the Doncaster Cup.
Oak Tree Stakes, Group 3 – Day 4
Initially called the New Stand Stakes and established in 1980 and it was first called the New Stand Stakes. The first running was the first race at that year’s Glorious Goodwood meeting, and it shone a light on the opening of a new grandstand at the venue by Queen Elizabeth II. In 1981 the race was titled the Royal Wedding Day Stakes as it took place on the same day as the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana.
King George Stakes, Group 2 – Day 4
The event was established in 1911, and it was created to commemorate the coronation of King George V. The King George Stakes is open to horses aged three years or older and it is run over a distance of 5 furlongs. The best entrants very often go on to compete in the Nunthorpe Stakes.
Thoroughbred Stakes, Group 3 – Day 4
Originally an ungraded race, it was once known as the Surplice Stakes. Since 2013 it has been sponsored by Bonhams. It was promoted to Group 3 level in 2012 and is currently held on the fourth day of the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting.
Glorious Stakes, Group 3 – Day 4
Named after Alycidon, a successful racehorse whose victories included the Goodwood Cup in 1949 it was initially called the Alycidon Stakes, established in 1979. It went back to being a conditions race in 2004, and it was then promoted to Group 3 level in 2008.
Stewards’ Cup (Great Britain), Handicap – Day 5
For many years in the 1830s the steward at Goodwood presented an annual cup to the winner of any race that he chose. This varied every year, and the trophy was awarded for events with distances of up to 1½ miles. A perpetual race for the Stewards’ Cup over a sprint distance of 6 furlongs was invented by Lord George Bentinck in late 1839, and the first running took place the following summer .The race was formerly held on the opening day of the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting. It was moved to the final day in 1993.
Nassau Stakes, Group 1 – Day 5
The name of the race pays homage the friendship between the 5th Duke of Richmond, a former owner of Goodwood Racecourse, and the House of Orange-Nassau. The race was conceived in 1840, originally restricted to three-year-old fillies. During the first part of its history it was contested over a distance of 1 mile but it was extended to 1½ miles in 1900, and shortened to its present length in 1911.
