Flat horse racing enthusiasts are once again lining up in excitement as the Goodwood Racecourse is about to open its gates. The world famous Qatar Goodwood Festival is scheduled to begin its 2025 edition.
Universally known as Glorious Goodwood, this summer meeting takes place over five days between end of July and beginning of August, attracting some of the best names in horse racing and a bright, cheerful crowd of spectators.
This year Qatar Goodwood Festival will start on 29 July and last until 2 August. The Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap Stakes will open the event. The crown jewel of the event, the Goodwood Cup will take place on the same day. The Goodwood Racecourse will host a total of 37 races.
Key Dates & Timings
The Qatar Goodwood Festival will take place between the last week of July and first week of August and last for five days. Each day includes seven to eight races.
Day One
- Date: Tuesday, 29 July
- Gate opening: 11:00 am
- First race of the day starts: 1:20 pm
- Last race of the day starts: 5:30 pm
Day Two
- Date: Wednesday, 30 July
- Gate opening: 11:00 am
- First race of the day starts: 12:45 pm
- Last race of the day starts: 4:55 pm
Day Three
- Date: Thursday, 31 July
- Gate opening: 11:00 am
- First race of the day starts: 12:45 pm
- Last race of the day starts: 5:30 pm
Day Four
- Date: Friday, 1 August
- Gate opening: 11:00 am
- First race of the day starts: 1:20 pm
- Last race of the day starts: 4:55 pm
Day Five
- Date: Saturday, 2 August
- Gate opening: 11:00 am
- First race of the day starts: 1:20 pm
- Last race of the day starts: 4:55 pm
The daily race cards for the Festival are as follows:
Tuesday, 29 July
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:20 pm | THE CORAL CHESTERFIELD CUP HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 1m 1f 197y | 4YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 1:55 pm | THE CORAL VINTAGE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 7f | 2YO £175,000.00 |
| 2:30 pm | THE HKJC WORLD POOL LENNOX STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 7f | 3YO+ £180,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE AL SHAQAB GOODWOOD CUP STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 2m | 3YO+ £500,000.00 |
| 3:45 pm | THE CORAL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 5f | 3YO+ £75,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 4:20 pm | THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 6f | 2YO £60,000.00 |
| 4:55 pm | THE RIDGEVIEW FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 1m | 3YO+ £50,000.00 Rating 0-95 |
| 5:30 pm | THE WORLD POOL BET WITH THE tote EBF FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 6f | 3YO+ £50,000.00 Rating 0-95 |
Wednesday, 30 July
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:20 pm | THE CORAL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 3f 218y | 3YO £75,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 1:55 pm | THE OAK TREE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 7f | 3YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 2:30 pm | THE MOLECOMB STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 5f | 2YO £100,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE VISIT QATAR SUSSEX STAKES (Class 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 1m | 3YO+ £1,000,000.00 |
| 3:45 pm | THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 1m 1f 197y | 3YO+ £75,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 4:20 pm | THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF ALICE KEPPEL FILLIES’ CONDITIONS STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | 5f | 2YO £75,000.00 |
| 4:55 pm | THE WORLD POOL BET WITH THE tote HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 7f | 3YO+ £50,000.00 Rating 0-95 |
Thursday, 31 July
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:20 pm | THE CORAL KINCSEM HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 1m 1f 197y | 3YO £100,000.00 |
| 1:55 pm | THE MARKEL RICHMOND STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 6f | 2YO £175,000.00 |
| 2:30 pm | THE GORDON STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m 3f 218y | 3YO £200,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE QATAR NASSAU STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 1m 1f 197y | 3YO+ £600,000.00 |
| 3:45 pm | THE BUCCELLATI HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 5f | 3YO £50,000.00 Rating 0-95 |
| 4:20 pm | THE PHASE EIGHT NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 7f | 2YO £60,000.00 |
| 4:55 pm | THE TATLER BRITISH EBF MAIDEN FILLIES’ STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | 7f | 2YO £60,000.00 |
| 5:30 pm | THE WORLD POOL BET WITH THE tote HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 1m | 3YO £50,000.00 Rating 0-90 |
Friday, 1 August
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:20 pm | THE CORAL GOODWOOD HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 2m 4f 97y | 3YO+ £75,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 1:55 pm | THE BONHAMS THOROUGHBRED STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m | 3YO £100,000.00 |
| 2:30 pm | THE CORAL GOLDEN MILE (Class 2 Heritage Handicap) (CL 2) | 1m | 3YO+ £150,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE KING GEORGE QATAR STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 5f | 3YO+ £300,000.00 |
| 3:45 pm | THE REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES BENTINCK CONDITIONS STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 1m 1f 11y | 4YO+ £75,000.00 |
| 4:20 pm | THE HAWES & CURTIS NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 6f | 2YO £60,000.00 |
| 4:55 pm | THE CORAL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 3) | 1m 3f 44y | 3YO £50,000.00 Rating 0-90 |
Saturday, 2 August
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:20 pm | THE CORAL GLORIOUS STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m 3f 218y | 4YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 1:55 pm | THE SUMMER HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 6f | 3YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 2:30 pm | THE QATAR LILLIE LANGTRY STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 1m 6f | 3YO+ £300,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE CORAL STEWARDS’ CUP (CLASS 2) (HERITAGE HANDICAP) (CL 2) | 6f | 3YO+ £250,000.00 |
| 3:45 pm | THE WHISPERING ANGEL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 7f | 3YO £75,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 4:20 pm | THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 7f | 2YO £75,000.00 |
| 4:55 pm | THE CORAL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 1m 1f 11y | 3YO+ £50,000.00 Rating 0-95 |
How to Buy Tickets
The Goodwood Racecourse will be offering three enclosures for the entire event. While Richmond Enclosure is only open to members, Gordon Enclosure and Lennox Enclosure are accessible to the general public.
Offering views of the home straight, Lennox Enclosure is a perfect picnic spot for the entire family. Prices start at £25 per person, with children under 18 getting free access.
A Gordon Enclosure ticket gives you access to majestic views of the course, the Parade Ring, and two grandstands. Prices start at £55 per person, children under 18 are also allowed for free.
Besides the enclosures, there will be a range of restaurants offering unforgettable dining experiences.
Travel and Transport Guide
Qatar Goodwood Festival is conducted at Goodwood Racecourse located at the following address: Selhurstpark Road, Chichester, West Sussex. You can reach your destination by various means of transportation from different directions.
- Train: You will be arriving at the Chichester Train Station. From there, shuttle buses and taxis can take you to the racecourse. Regular trains leave from London Victoria as well as from Brighton and Portsmouth.
- Car: The racecourse offers free and paid parking spots. Free disabled parking is available at Car Park 8.
- Bus and taxi: Both services are available from the Chichester Train Station. Buses operate on a schedule, from 10:15 in the morning until 1:15 in the afternoon. While bus service is offered free of charge during certain race days, it will have a small charge during the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Notable Races at the Qatar Goodwood Festival
Glorious Goodwood includes 37 races, with as many as 13 of them classified as Class 1. They vary in distances, age restrictions, and other conditions to provide diverse entertainment.
The meeting is studded with domestically and internationally acclaimed races, but of course, Goodwood Cup stands out the most.
The Goodwood Cup (Tuesday, 29 July)
The race that was named after the racecourse and also gave the name to the entire summer meeting is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both female and male horses aged three years or older and is run over the distance of 2 miles (3,219 metres).
Interestingly, it had two inaugural runs. The first one took place in 1808. When chestnut colt Bucephalus won it on three different occasions, the first silver trophy was permanently given to his owner. The second, this time a gold one, was inaugurated in 1812.
The race also underwent three distance cuttings, going from 3 miles to 2 miles and 5 furlongs, eventually becoming 2 miles in 1991.
Currently, there are 19 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. The jockeys for the race are still to be confirmed.
The current full list of contenders and their trainers runs as follows:
- Al Riffa (age 5, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Continuous (age 5, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Dubai Future (age 9, trainer Saeed bin Suroor)
- Epic Poet (age 6, trainer David O’Meara)
- French Master (age 4, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Illinois (age 4, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Jan Brueghel (age 4, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Military Academy (age 4, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Palladium (age 4, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Subsequent (age 4, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Sunway (age 4, trainer David Menuisier)
- Sweet William (age 6, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Trueshan (age 9, trainer Alan King)
- Furthur (age 3, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Galveston (age 3, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Puppet Master (age 3, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Scandinavia (age 3, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Serious Contender (age 3, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Shackleton (age 3, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
King George Qatar Stakes (Friday, 1 August)
Another celebrated race of the meeting, King George Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race that accepts both female and male horses aged three years or older and is run over the distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres).
It was founded in 1911 and was named after King George V to commemorate his coronation that happened the same year. When the modern race classification system was introduced in Britain in 1971, King George Stakes was attributed to Group 3. It got promoted to Group 2 in 2010.
Currently, there are 34 runner entries announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. The jockeys for the race are still to be confirmed.
The current full list of contenders and their trainers runs as follows:
- Believing (age 5, trainer George Boughey)
- Clarendon House (age 7, trainer Robert Cowell)
- Democracy Dilemma (age 5, trainer Robert Cowell)
- Get It (age 7, trainer George Baker)
- Jm Jungle (age 5, trainer John & Sean Quinn)
- Kerdos (age 5, trainer Clive Cox)
- Manaccan (age 6, trainer John Ryan)
- Mgheera (age 5, trainer Ed Walker)
- Night Raider (age 4, trainer Karl Burke)
- Rogue Lightning (age 5, trainer Tom Clover)
- Seven Questions (age 4, trainer Robert Cowell)
- Spartan Arrow (age 5, trainer Archie Watson)
- West Acre (age 3, trainer George Scott)
- Time For Sandals (age 3, trainer Harry Eustace)
- Aesterius (age 3, trainer Archie Watson)
- Asfoora (age 7, trainer Henry Dwyer)
- Balmoral Lady (age 4, trainer Ed Walker)
- Big Mojo (age 3, trainer Michael Appleby)
- Enchanting (age 4, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Frost At Dawn (age 4, trainer William Knight)
- No Half Measures (age 4, trainer Richard Hughes)
- Rosy Affair (age 4, trainer George Boughey)
- Shareholder (age 3, trainer Karl Burke)
- She’s Quality (age 4, trainer Jack Davison)
- Adrestia (age 3, trainer Simon & Ed Crisford)
- Celandine (age 3, trainer Ed Walker)
- Coto De Caza (age 3, trainer Simon & Ed Crisford)
- Grande Marques (age 3, trainer James Stack)
- Leovanni (age 3, trainer Karl Burke)
- Queen All Star (age 3, trainer Jack Channon)
- Saratoga Special (age 3, trainer Mrs John Harrington)
- Sayidah Dariyan (age 3, trainer Richard Hughes)
- Star Of Mehmas (age 3, trainer Richard Hughes)
- Town And Country (age 3, trainer Henry de Bromhead)
Betting at the Qatar Goodwood Festival
Qatar Goodwood Festival invites horse racing punters to make their predictions on the outcome of the races. Major online bookies will be offering various betting markets for those looking to add another layer of excitement to the event.
At 7bet, we offer a wide range of horse race betting markets both for domestic and international events.
Please note that odds for Qatar Goodwood Festival will be available closer to the event date.
Betting at Qatar Goodwood Festival includes various horse betting markets, with some of the most popular being:
- Win: Here punters try to predict the horse who will come first to the finish line and win the race. If your prediction was correct, your bet will win.
- Place: Here punters place wagers on a horse that will reach the finish line in the top two to four (depending on the number of runners) in a single race.
- First Two (or First Three): Here instead of betting on one horse, punters try to predict the first two (or three) horses to finish the race. However, they also have to predict the correct order in which they will finish.
- Two From Three: Here punters don’t have to predict the correct order but need to name any two out of the first three horses to finish the race.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
The Goodwood Cup Past Winners
Be it in its first or the later versions, the Goodwood Cup attracted many renowned horses to participate in the race and take the victory home. The horses who won this race in the past 24 years since 2000 were the following:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 2000 | Royal Rebel | 4 | Michael Kinane | Mark Johnston | Peter Savill |
| 2001 | Persian Punch | 8 | Richard Quinn | David Elsworth | Jeff Smith |
| 2002 | Jardines Lookout | 5 | Michael Kinane | Alan Jarvis | Ambrose Turnbull |
| 2003 | Persian Punch | 10 | Martin Dwyer | David Elsworth | Jeff Smith |
| 2004 | Darasim | 6 | Joe Fanning | Mark Johnston | Markus Graff |
| 2005 | Distinction | 6 | Michael Kinane | Michael Stoute | Highclere Thoroughbred Racing |
| 2006 | Yeats | 5 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O’Brien | Sue Magnier & Diane Nagle |
| 2007 | Allegretto | 4 | Ryan Moore | Sir Michael Stoute | Cheveley Park Stud |
| 2008 | Yeats | 7 | Johnny Murtagh | Aidan O’Brien | Sue Magnier & Diane Nagle |
| 2009 | Schiaparelli | 6 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin |
| 2010 | Illustrious Blue | 7 | Jim Crowley | William Knight | Mr & Mrs I H Bendelow |
| 2011 | Opinion Poll | 5 | Frankie Dettori | Mahmood Al Zarooni | Godolphin |
| 2012 | Saddler’s Rock | 4 | Johnny Murtagh | John Oxx | Michael O’Flynn |
| 2013 | Brown Panther | 5 | Richard Kingscote | Tom Dascombe | Andrew Black & Owen Promotions |
| 2014 | Cavalryman | 8 | Kieren Fallon | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin |
| 2015 | Big Orange | 4 | Jamie Spencer | Michael Bell | Bill Gredley |
| 2016 | Big Orange | 5 | Jamie Spencer | Michael Bell | Bill Gredley |
| 2017 | Stradivarius | 3 | Andrea Atzeni | John Gosden | Bjorn Nielsen |
| 2018 | Stradivarius | 4 | Andrea Atzeni | John Gosden | Bjorn Nielsen |
| 2019 | Stradivarius | 5 | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | Bjorn Nielsen |
| 2020 | Stradivarius | 6 | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | Bjorn Nielsen |
| 2021 | Trueshan | 5 | Hollie Doyle | Alan King | Singula Partnership |
| 2022 | Kyprios | 4 | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien | Moyglare Stud/Smith/Magnier/Tabor |
| 2023 | Quickthorn | 6 | Tom Marquand | Hughie Morrison | Lady Blyth |
| 2024 | Kyprios | 6 | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien | Moyglare Stud/Smith/Magnier/Tabor |
The six year old chestnut male Kyprios had a truly brilliant 2024 season. Earlier that year he won the Gold Cup at the Royal Ascot for the second time in his career. His victory at the Goodwood Cup also happened for the second time, repeating the 2022 success. All in all, Kyprios won seven out of seven races he participated in during the season. For a horse that was coming back after missing a year due to a severe leg injury, this was an exceptional feat.
However, Kyprios won’t be seen on the Goodwood Racecourse this year. Much to the sorrow of the horse racing world, his owners announced Kyprios’ retirement earlier in 2025.
The Goodwood Cup Records
With 213 years of races, the Goodwood Cup has definitely witnessed a lot of glorious wins and celebrated names. Those who took the Cup home more than once are a special part of the history.
- Leading horse: Stradivarius with 4 wins (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- Leading jockey: Jem Robinson (1829, 1834, 1835, 1840, 1842), George Fordham (1855, 1856, 1861, 1866, 1883), Steve Donoghue (1919, 1920, 1921, 1925, 1930), Lester Piggott (1958, 1960, 1974, 1975, 1981), Pat Eddery (1972, 1985, 1989, 1993, 1996), Frankie Dettori (1999, 2009, 2011, 2019, 2020) – all with 5 wins
- Leading trainer: John Scott with 7 wins (1836, 1837, 1841, 1842, 1849, 1850, 1860)
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org