The Qatar Goodwood Festival, held over five days in the heart of the British flat racing season, is widely regarded as one of the most stunning spectacles of the year and a highlight of the summer social calendar. Sponsored by members of the Qatari ruling family, through the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC), the festival showcases Qatar's growing interest and investment in British horse racing.
In recent years, Qatar has made considerable financial commitments to the racing industry, significantly contributing to its growth and visibility. Notable initiatives include the sponsorship of British Champions Day as part of the QIPCO British Champions Series at Ascot, the QIPCO Guineas Festival in Newmarket, and the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
Since the rebranding on July 28, 2015, the festival has transitioned from being known as Glorious Goodwood to the Qatar Goodwood Festival, much to the chagrin of traditionalists. However, a landmark 10-year sponsorship agreement with Goodwood Racecourse has resulted in an impressive increase in prize money, elevating the total for the festival to $7 million, with the prestigious G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes now boasting a prize of $1.5 million.
The Glorious Goodwood Races
The inaugural private meeting for Sussex officers and members of the Goodwood Hunt was organised by the Duke of Richmond in 1801. The event proved to be highly successful, leading to its continuation the following year with races spanning three days, which featured endurance races of three two-mile heats.
By the 19th century, the Glorious Goodwood races had gained significant popularity, prompting King Edward VII to describe them as "a garden party with racing tacked on."
The races experienced a hiatus during the First and Second World Wars, but regained their popularity in the post-war era. Nearby, the Iron Age hill fort of Trumble offers a panoramic view of the entire racecourse, which served as an informal grandstand—highlighted by a record attendance of 55,000 spectators in 1955. Today, the Qatar Goodwood Festival draws approximately 100,000 attendees to enjoy the live races. The festival typically spans five days, occurring in late July and early August, featuring prestigious events such as the G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes, the Goodwood Cup, and the Qatar Nassau Stakes.
Day 1 of the Festival
The Vintage Stakes is a 1,408-metre race exclusively for two-year-old horses, established in 1975 as a Listed race and elevated to G3 status in 1983, followed by G2 in 2003. Renowned jockeys Willie Carson and Frankie Dettori have both secured victories in the race six times, alongside trainers Dick Hern and Sir Henry Cecil, who have also reached six wins each with their trained horses. Notable winners of the Vintage Stakes include Epsom Derby champions Troy (1978), Dr Devious (1991), and Sir Percy (2005). In 2024, Aomori City provided trainer Charlie Appleby with his second victory after the success of Pinatubo in 2019.
Launched in 2000, the Lennox Stakes is a G2 race covering 1,408 metres for horses aged three years and above. The first champion was Observatory, owned by Khalid Abdullah and trained by John Gosden. The race saw Nayyir triumph twice in 2002 and 2003, followed by Sir Dancealot who achieved the same feat in 2018 and 2019, and Kinross who also won twice in 2021 and 2023. This year, John Gosden's horse Audience claimed victory in the Lennox Stakes once again.
The Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup represents the highlight of the festival's first day. Established in 1807, the original cup was made of silver and the race covered a distance of three miles. The cup transitioned to gold in 1812, while the race distance was gradually reduced until it settled at two miles in 1991. The legendary Stradivarius made history by winning the Goodwood Cup four times between 2017 and 2020, surpassing the previous record held by Mark Johnston's Double Trigger, who won in 1995, 1996, and 1998. In 2024, Aidan O'Brien's Kyprios, ridden by Ryan Moore, remained undefeated on the track.
Day 2 of the Qatar Goodwood Festival
The Oak Tree Stakes, open to mares and foals aged three years and older, is contested over a distance of 1,408 metres. Established in 1980 as the New Stand Stakes, this race has undergone several name changes, including the Royal Wedding Day Stakes in 1981, commemorating the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Initially a Listed race until 2004, it now holds Group 3 status, with Sir Henry Cecil's horses having claimed victory six times.
The Molecomb Stakes, one of the oldest horse races in Britain, was founded in 1829 and is run over 1,006 metres for two-year-old foals. Lester Piggott famously triumphed in this race eight times. Notable past winners include Marwell (1980), Kachy (2015), and Yalta (2016). In 2024, Big Mojo secured victory, marking trainer Mick Appleby’s second consecutive win in this event. The highlight of the second day is the Qatar Sussex Stakes, a prestigious Group 1 race colloquially known as the “Duel On The Downs,” which attracts many of the world’s top horses. First run in 1841, it spans one mile. Legendary racehorse Frankel won this race twice in 2011 and 2012, while recent champions include Mohaather (2020), Baaeed (2022), and Paddington (2023), the latter being ranked 10th in the 2023 Longines World Horse of the Year standings. In 2024, Notable Speech delivered a remarkable victory for trainer Charlie Appleby in this signature event.
Day 3 of the Qatar Goodwood Festival - Ladies' Day
Kicking off the third day of the festival is the Markel Magnolia Cup, featuring a lineup of 12 female jockeys. Introduced in 2011 as a charity initiative aimed at aiding children facing challenges in primary education, the race showcases uniquely designed silks crafted by renowned fashion designers; in 2023, the designs were by Alice Temperley. The event captures the essence of female empowerment, attracting participants from diverse backgrounds, including lawyers, TV hosts, business professionals, single mothers, and military personnel.
Next is the Richmond Stakes, a Group 2 race that dates back to 1877 and is now contested over 1,207 metres for two-year-old colts and geldings. The race's early days saw legendary jockey Fred Archer winning six times, with Lester Piggott also leaving his mark. This year, Black Forza clinched the win, marking trainer Michael O'Callaghan's second victory in this event.
The Gordon Stakes, a Group 3 race run over 2,412 metres for three-year-olds, serves as a precursor to the St Leger. Only 10 horses have managed to win both races, the most recent being Aidan O'Brien's Jan Brueghel in 2024. Sir Michael Stoute holds the record for the most wins as a trainer in this race, with his latest triumph coming from Crystal Ocean in 2017.
Lastly, the Nassau Stakes, established in 1840, is a contest for mares and colts aged three and older over a distance of 1,991 metres. Granted Group 1 status in 1999, it has seen esteemed winners such as Ouija Board (2006), The Fugue (2013), and Minding (2016). In 2019, Japanese-trained horse Deirdre made headlines as the first of its kind to win a British classic race. In 2024, Aidan O'Brien’s Opera Singer achieved an impressive undefeated season.
Day 4 of the Qatar Goodwood Festival
On this day, the Best Dressed competition takes centre stage, as judges evaluate attendees' outfits—including women's and men's attire, hats, shoes, and accessories. Emphasis is placed on style and elegance, and a keen sense of proportion and taste is highly valued.
The Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes, a G3 race, features three-year-old horses competing over a distance of one mile. Frankie Dettori has remarkably led his horses to victory in this event seven times, while Sir Michael Stoute has achieved the distinction of being the champion trainer of the Thoroughbred Stakes on seven occasions.
Established in 1979, the Glorious Stakes is a G3 race covering a distance of 2423 metres and is open to horses aged four and over. Noteworthy past winners include Rebel's Romance (2022), Poet's Word (2017), Pether's Moon (2014), Sixties Icon (2008), Mamool (2005), and Alkaased (2004).
Another key event is the King George Stakes, a G2 race run over a distance of 1,006 metres and open to horses aged three and older. Founded in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of King George V, successful contenders often proceed to compete in the Nunthorpe Stakes. Battaash holds the record for most wins, triumphing in the King George Stakes four consecutive years from 2017 to 2020, and he became the most recent horse to win both the King George and Nunthorpe Stakes in 2018. Big Evs, trained by Mick Appleby, secured victory at the 2024 Festival.
The Coral Golden Mile is a one-mile handicap race for horses aged three and above. Notably, jockey Ryan Moore has enjoyed three consecutive wins in 2016, 2017, and 2018, including a victory in 2018 aboard Queen Elizabeth's Seniority. In 2023, trainer Jack Channon's Johan prevailed, while in 2024, David Menuisier rode Toimy Son to success.
Day 5 of the Qatar Goodwood Festival
The Stewards Cup, a prestigious handicap race that began in 1840, covers a distance of 1207 metres and is open to horses aged three and older. Winners of this esteemed race often go on to compete in G1 events. A notable champion is Lochsong, who won the Stewards Cup in 1992, later becoming the Cartier Sprint Champion in 1993 and 1994, as well as Cartier Horse of the Year in 1993. In 2024, the Sprint Handicap winner was Get It, trained by George Baker, who decisively claimed victory against 24 competitors.
The Lillie Langtry Stakes, a G2 event for horses aged three and older, spans a distance of 2816 metres and was inaugurated in 2003. This relatively new race has served as a launchpad for promising young horses; among them was the Irish filly Simple Verse, who won in 2015 and subsequently clinched the St Leger title, earning the Cartier Champion Stayer accolade that same year. Term Of Endearment, trained by Henry de Bromhead, won the Langtry Stakes this year.
Looking ahead, an extension of the longstanding partnership between Qatar and Goodwood Racecourse was announced for 2024. The agreement will take effect in 2025, ensuring that the Goodwood Festival continues to be one of the most spectacular and prestigious events in British flat racing.