Glorious Goodwood Festival Betting Offers & Free Bets 2025
The Qatar Goodwood Festival, or as most of us know it Glorious Goodwood, is another prestigious festival in the British horse racing flat season coming at the end of July each year. The five day festival originated in 1802 as an event for local army officers and over the years has gained a great heritage that makes it now renowned as one of the most exciting racing festivals in the world on one of the most majestic racecourses.
Coming at the height of the British summer and with the throughbreds peaking at the middle of the season, Glorious Goodwood always lives up to its name. The festival also comes at a time of year when not much else happens in the sporting world, this means Goodwood can capture the full attention of the bookies resulting in some of the best offers you will see all year on racing.
On this page we have the latest deals specific to the Goodwood Festival with information on the schedule, racecard, history and more further down.
Glorious Goodwood Betting Offers for 2025
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2025 Schedule and Racecards
In 2014 Qatar signed a 10-year sponsorship deal with Goodwood. This was the biggest deal of its type in the history of horse racing seeing over £2 million invested in the eight key races over the five days from the 29th July to 2nd August.
Glorious Goodwood hosts three of the 36 Group One flat races in the season although it’s not so much the top class races that Goodwood is glorious for. The picturesque racecourse is seen as one of the most challenging and exciting for both horses and jockeys with complex bends and turns and a 6f straight.
Race cards for each day are shown below, for more about the feature races see our more detailed summaries further down this page.
Day One – Tuesday 29th July
| Time | Race | Grade | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:50 | Chesterfield Cup Handicap | Handicap (class 2) | 1m 1f 197y |
| 2:25 | Vintage Stakes | Group 2 | 7f |
| 3:00 | Lennox Stakes | Group 2 | 7f |
| 3:35 | Goodwood Cup Stakes | Group 1 | 2m |
| 4:10 | Coral Handicap | Handicap (class 2) | 5f |
| 4:45 | EBF Maiden Stakes | Handicap (class 2) | 6f |
| 5:20 | Fillies’ Handicap | Handicap (class 3) | 1m |
| 5:55 | EBF Fillies’ Handicap | Handicap (class 3) | 6f |
Day Two – Wednesday 30th July
| Time | Race | Grade | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:50 | Coral Handicap | Handicap (class 2) | 1m 3f 218y |
| 2:25 | Oak Tree Stakes | Group 3 | 7f |
| 3:00 | Molecomb Stakes | Group 3 |
5f |
| 3:35 | Sussex Stakes | Group 1 | 1m |
| 4:10 | EBF Fillies’ Handicap | Handicap (class 2) | 1m 1f 197y |
| 4:45 | EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes | Handicap (class 2) | 5f |
| 5:20 | World Pool Handicap | Handicap (class 3) | 7f |
Day Three – Thursday 31st July
| Time | Race | Grade | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:50 | Coral Handicap | Handicap (class 2) | 1m 1f 197y |
| 2:25 | Richmond Stakes | Group 2 | 6f |
| 3:00 | Gordon Stakes | Group 3 |
1m 3f 218y |
| 3:35 | Nassau Stakes | Group 1 | 1m 2f |
| 4:10 | Nursery Handicap | Handicap (class 2) | 7f |
| 4:45 | Buccellati Handicap | Handicap (class 3) | 1m |
| 5:20 | EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes | Handicap (class 2) | 7f |
| 5:55 | World Pool Handicap | Handicap (class 3) | 5f |
Day Four – Friday 1st August
| Time | Race | Grade | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:50 | Goodwood Handicap | Handicap (class 2) | 2m 4f 134y |
| 2:25 | Thoroughbred Stakes | Group 3 | 1m |
| 3:00 | Golden Mile | Heritage Handicap | 1m |
| 3:35 | King George Stakes | Group 2 | 5f |
| 4:10 | Bentinick Conditions Stakes | Handicap (class 2) | 1m 1f 11y |
| 4:45 | Nursery Handicap | Handicap (class 2) | 6f |
| 5:20 | Coral Handicap | Handicap (class 3) | 1m 3f 44y |
Day Five – Saturday 2nd August
| Time | Race | Grade | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:50 | Glorious Stakes | Group 3 | 1m 3f 218y |
| 2:25 | Summer Handicap | Handicap (class 2) | 1m 6f |
| 3:00 | Lillie Langtry Stakes | Group 2 | 1m 6f |
| 3:35 | Stewards’ Cup | Heritage Handicap | 6f |
| 4:10 | Whispering Angel Handicap | Handicap (class 2) | 7f |
| 4:45 | EBF Maiden Stakes | Handicap (class 2) | 7f |
| 5:20 | Charlton Handicap | Handicap (class 3) | 1m 1f 11y |
Goodwood Feature Races
Sussex Stakes (Group 1)
Run right-handed over a mile, the Sussex Stakes is for horses aged three and over. The following weights apply:
- 3-year-olds: 9 stone 1 pound
- 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 8 pounds
- There’s a 3 pound allowance for fillies and mares
The Group 1 race was established in 1841 as a race over 6 furlongs restricted to 2-year-olds. It didn’t take on its current length until 1878, being opened to 4-year-olds in 1960 and those aged five and over 15 years after that. It is considered to be one of Goodwood’s most prestigious races.
Goodwood Cup (Group 1)
This race was inaugurated in 1812, replacing a similar race that had first been run four years earlier. That had a silver cup attached to it for the winner, whilst the new race had a gold one that came to be known as the Goodwood Cup. It is a leading event for stayers and joins the God Cup at Ascot and the Doncaster Cup as part of the Stayers’ Triple Crown.
Run left or right-handed over 2 miles, the race is for horses aged three and up. 3-year-olds have a weight of 8 stone and 8 pounds, whilst 4-year-olds and over are 9 stone and 9 pounds. Fillies and mares are given a 3 pound allowance. The race was Group 2 initially, being relegated to Group 3 in 1985 then regained its status as a Group 2 offering a decade later. It became a Group 1 race in 2017.
Nassau Stakes (Group 1)
Named in honour of the House of Orange-Nassau, friend to the 5th Duke of Richmond who once owned Goodwood Racecourse, the race was first run in 1840. Back then it took place over a mile, being extended to a mile and a half in 1900 and then shortened to its current length 11 years later.
Run over 1 mile, 1 furlong and 197 yards, the Nassau Stakes is for fillies and mares aged three and over. The weight information sees 3-year-olds come in at 8 stone and 13 pounds and horses aged 4 and over at 9 stone 7 pounds. Run right-handed on the flat, the race was a Group 2 offering until it was promoted to Group 1 in 1999.
Lennox Stakes (Group 2)
Run right-handed over 7 furlongs, the Lennox Stakes is open to horses aged three and over and has the following weight information at play:
- 3-year-olds: 8 stone 10 pounds
- 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 3 pounds
- There’s a 3 pound allowance for fillies and mares
- Group 1 winners take a 5 pound penalty
- Group 2 winners take a 3 pound penalty
Named after the Duke of Lennox, which is one of the dukedoms that the Duke of Richmond holds, the race was created in 2000 when it was a Group 3 offering. It became a Group 2 race three years later and has enjoyed numerous different sponsorships over the years.
Vintage Stakes (Group 2)
Whilst its name might indicate age, the Vintage Stakes has only been taking place since 1975. It was a Listed offering back then, shifting to Group 3 in 1986 and Group 2 in 2003. It’s the race to watch if you’d like some indication of what might happen in the future in the Classics, with Galileo Gold winning this in 2015 and the 2,000 Guineas in 2016.
Run right-handed over 7 furlongs, the race is limited to 2-year-olds with a weight of 9 stone 1 pound. Fillies are given a 3 pound allowance, whilst Group 1 and Group 2 winning horses are given 3 pound penalties.
Richmond Stakes (Group 2)
The Duke Of Richmond is a title held by the owner of Goodwood Racecourse, so it’s only fitting that there’s a race named in their honour. It has been taking place since 1877 and previous winners have occasionally gone on to win one of the Classics.
The Richmond Stakes was initially for horses of either gender but was restricted to males only in 1989. Run over 6 furlongs on the straight, it’s for 2-year-old colts and geldings that weigh 9 stone. Group 1 and Group 2 winners get a 3 pound penalty.
Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2)
The Lillie Langtry Stakes takes place over 1 mile and 6 furlongs and is run right-handed. It’s open to fillies and mares aged 3 and over, with the following weight information at play:
- 3-year-olds: 8 stone 9 pounds
- 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 6 pounds
- There’s a 3 pound allowance for fillies and mares
- Group 1 winners take a 5 pound penalty
- Group 2 winners take a 3 pound penalty
Established in 2003 as the Gladness Stakes, the race was Listed until the following year when it was promoted to Group 3 and given a new title. The new moniker was in honour of the actress Lillie Langtry, who was one of King Edward VII’s mistresses. It was upgraded once more to Group 2 ahead of its 2018 running.
King George Stakes (Group 2)
Established in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of King George V, the King George Stakes was a Group 3 race when the gradings system was introduced in 1971. It was promoted to Group 2 in 2010 and is a worthwhile race to watch if you want an indication of horses that might do well in the Nunthorpe Stakes run at York Racecourse later in the year.
Open to 3-year-olds and over, the race is run on the straight over 5 furlongs. The following weight information is relevant:
- 3-year-olds: 8 stone 13 pounds
- 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 2 pounds
- Fillies and mares are given a 3 pound allowance
- Group 1 winners get a 5 pound penalty
- Group 2 winners get a 3 pound penalty
Glorious Stakes (Group 3)
This is one of the longest races run during the Glorious Goodwood Festival, being run right-handed over 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 218 yards. It’s for horses aged four and over with a weight of 9 stone and 1 pound. There’s a 3 pound allowance for fillies and mares, with the following penalties in play:
- Group 1 winners: 7 pounds
- Group 2 winners: 5 pounds
- Group 3 winners: 3 pounds
Established as the Alycidon Stakes in 1979, it was then a Conditions race for 3-year-olds and over. It became Listed in 1985 and then renamed as the Alycidon Glorious Stakes two years later. It took on its current moniker two years after that, with the minimum age raised to four in 1993. It was run as a limited handicap until 2004 when it went back to being a Conditions race, then was promoted to Group 3 four years later.
Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)
Run right-handed over 1 mile, the Thoroughbred Stakes is open to 3-year-olds but excludes horses that have won a Group 1 race. The weight information is 9 stone 1 pound, with fillies getting a 3 pound allowance, Group 2 winners a 7 pound penalty and a 4 pound penalty put on Group 3 race winners.
Ungraded and known as the Surplice Stakes in its early years, it was known by various sponsored titles from 1993 onwards. It was given its current title in 1998 and received its promotion to Group 3 in 2012, continuing to enjoy numerous sponsored titles since.
Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3)
Known as the New Stand Stakes when it was inaugurated in 1980, the race was renamed to be the Royal Wedding Stakes the following year when Prince Charles married Lady Diana. It received its current moniker the year after that, which is designed to be a tip of the hat to the Oak Tree Racing Association in California.
Listed when it first came into being, it was made a Group 3 race in 2004. Run right-handed over 7 furlongs, the Oak Tree Stakes is open to fillies and mares aged three and up. Here’s the weight information you need to know:
- 3-year-olds: 8 stone 11 pounds
- 4-year-olds and over: 9 stone 3 pounds
- Group 1 winners receive a 7 pound penalty
- Group 2 winners receive a 5 pound penalty
- Group 3 winners receive a 3 pound penalty
Gordon Stakes (Group 3)
Run right-handed over 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 218 yards, the Gordon Stakes is for 3-year-olds with a weight of 9 stone 1 pound. Fillies get a 3 pound allowance but Group 1, 2 and 3 winners get a penalty of 7, 5 and 3 pounds respectively.
The race is named after one of the dukedoms held by the Duke of Richmond, the Duke of Gordon. It was first run in 1902 then became restricted to 3-year-olds the year after. It is often seen as a trial race for the St. Leger Stakes.
Molecomb Stakes (Group 3)
Taking place on the straight over 5 furlongs, this race is for 2-year-olds and boasts a weight of 9 stone 1 pound. Fillies get a 3 pound allowance whilst Group 1 and Group 2 race winners get a 5 pound penalty and a 3 pound penalty is given to Group 3 race winners.
Receiving its inaugural run in 1829 when it was open to 2-year-olds of either gender, the race was restricted to fillies in 1932 before being reopened to males in 1981. It is named after the house that is located on the Goodwood estate that was built for Lady Sarah Lennox by her brother, the 3rd Duke of Richmond.
Stewards’ Cup (Heritage Handicap)
Open to 3-year-olds and over, the Stewards’ Cup is a handicap race that takes place on the straight over 6 furlongs. Its name comes from the tradition of the Senior Steward of Goodwood presenting a cup to the winner of any race that they chose with distances of up to a mile and a half. In 1839 Lord George Bentick thought it would be better to simply run a race over 6 furlongs every year and the Stewards’ Cup was inaugurated the following summer.
The race has moved around in terms of the day that it’s hosted on throughout its history, at one point being on the opening day of the 5-day Festival before being shifted to the final day in 1993. It has been sponsored by a number of high-profile companies over the years, though it’s never been won by the same horse more than twice.
About the Qatar Goodwood Festival
Goodwood Racecourse
Goodwood racecourse is part of the Goodwood country estate around five miles from Chichester in West Sussex, England. The estate has been owned and run by the Duke of Richmond family since the 18th Century with the third Duke the founder of the course and festival. The landscape around the estate is renowned for its attractiveness, set against a Iron Age hill fort, and being fairly close to the sea the course is often bathed in mist and fog in the mornings.
The race course is quite unique and seen as quite challenge to younger horses in particular. The course consists of a 6 furlong straight, used for the Stewards Cup, that goes uphill to begin with for a furlong before descending for the remainder. The course then continues into a right-handed loop, at this point there are various starting points for races of other distances. Many of these distances are named after the people responsible for developing the course, such as the 1 mile 6 furlong Bentinck Course named after Lord Bentinck who established some of the first modifications in the 1830’s. As the loop continues there a series of sharp bends and undulations on the turf that create a challenging environment for the thoroughbreds.
History of Glorious Goodwood
Goodwood owes its existence to the Third Duke of Richmond, an illegitimate son of Charles II and his French mistress. The Duke was the colonel of the Sussex Militia who at the time held annual races hosted by the Earl of Egremont in Petworth Park. The Earl, an unpredictable character, withdrew the invitation in 1801 and in 1802 the Duke of Richmond stepped in by establishing a two-day race meeting on the Goodwood Estate. The Duke even had a winner on day one with his horse Cedar. The event was hugely popular and so the following year the Duke expanded the event to three days and under Jockey Club rules.
The Duke died in 1806 passing the estate on to the Fourth Duke, his nephew. It was at this time that the Goodwood Cup was established in 1812 and two years later the meeting was moved from May to the end of July where it has remained for over 200 years. This move proved highly popular and attendances grew, the timing was indeed perfect for the aristocracy to attend before retreating to their rural summer estates.
The Fifth Duke took over the estate in 1819 investing in the course including building a new 3000 people stand in 1830. With the assistance of the Lord George Bentinck the course and racing held at Goodwood was reformed with a number of firsts including setting off the race with a flag, pre-race horse parades, numbers on horses and the first racecards.
More prestigious races were subsequently founded, The Molecomb Stakes in 1833, the Stewards’ Cup and Nassau Stakes in 1840 and the Sussex Stakes in 1878. Over the years up to the middle of the 20th Century Goodwood steadily increased in popularity with many of these new races attaining permanent prestige. The meeting also became synonymous with the height of the British summer, commanding a jovial and raucous atmosphere less common at the more formal meetings such as Royal Ascot.
Following a suspension for the Second World War the festival returned and by 1953 was attracting 55,000 visitors for the opening day. Over the years Goodwood has incorporated other race events with meetings now from April through to the end of the flat season, including very popular evening racing. The course has been steadily improved with the number of group races, sponsorship and prize money all increasing to create the present day summer horse racing festival second only Royal Ascot.
