Course Overview
The track is unique in more ways than one and the switchback nature of the course can favour those with previous experience at the track, but that doesn’t stop it from hosting one of the flagship meetings of the British racing calendar.
Right handed. There are two bends; all races up to a mile and a quarter use the lower bend, and in excess of eleven furlongs use the top bend.
Although there is a five-furlong run-in from the top bend, the turns and the pronounced downhill gradients make Goodwood essentially a sharp track, favouring handy types, particularly in the shorter-distance races.
Course Details
Goodwood Racecourse
Selhurstpark Road
Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0PS
By Foot or Car – 60 miles from London and 30 miles from Brighton, the most popular way to reach the course, is by car, as there is ample free and paid-for parking servicing all enclosures. Details for your sat nav are above.
By Train – From London Waterloo, change at Havant and changeover trains. The nearest train station to the course, is Chichester. From the station, a taxi ride will take about 10 minutes and cost approx £15.
By Air – For those travelling by air, the Goodwood Aerodrome is available for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft but needs to be booked in advance.
By Bus – Buses run from Chichester Railway Station to the track, but only on major race days, so check before you travel
Hotels close to Goodwood Racecourse
Brief History
In 1801, the third Duke of Richmond (who lived in Goodwood Hall, of course) held a private race meet for the members of his Hunt and the local militia, and the year after, the first public meeting was held.
The course quickly gained the nickname ‘Glorious Goodwood’ from the press and the summer meets fast became ‘must-attend’ events amongst the well-heeled; albeit perhaps more for the partying than the racing!
n July or August and was timed to fit with the local Whitehawk Fair, which was discontinued by the 1820s.
From 1968 to 1970 the course's late summer meeting was shown on ITV, and from the early 2000s some races from the course occasionally appeared on Channel 4, but otherwise the course had been covered exclusively by the BBC for 50 years from 1956 (when it first appeared on television) to 2006. In 2007 the rights passed to Channel 4 Racing. Since 2017 races have been live on ITV Racing after the channel won the rights to televise horse racing from Channel 4.
I
n the late 18th century, Goodwood became the location for the first flag start on a British racecourse, at the behest of Lord George Bentinck, after a particularly shambolic start involving jockey Sam Arnull caused by an elderly deaf starter with a speech impediment.
The record for attendance was reached in 1953 when 55,000 people turned up all on one day! Today, Goodwood continues to enjoy success and welcomes over 100,000 racegoers annually as part of the Goodwood Festival. Its reputation remains tip-top and it’s certainly still a must-go venue for racing fans all over the country.
Race Calendar
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30th April – 1st May – Opening Weekend
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21st – 22nd May – May Festival
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4th – 18th June – June Evening Racing
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6th June – June Sunday Racing
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27th August – Three Friday Nights
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28th – 29th August – August Bank Holiday Racing
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7th – 22nd September – Midweek Racing
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10th October – Season Finale
Summary
Goodwood is a stunning course and a chance to attend the world-famous five day Qatar Goodwood Festival or Glorious Goodwood is not to be missed.
It’s not just a fantastic racing event but one of the main English social events of the year – think the Wimbledon of racing!
With Group 1 races galore including the Sussex Stakes and Nassau Stakes tickets are always in high demand.
Later in the season, they host the fiercely competitive Stewards Cup, one of the biggest 6-furlong handicaps anywhere in the world.
A beautiful course and one you’ll never forget, make sure you add Goodwood to your bucket list!