Chesterfield Cup

The Chesterfield Cup, joint fifth oldest race at Glorious Goodwood, along with the Nassau Stakes, is a handicap over 1 mile 1 furlong and 192 yards and was first run in 1839 when known as the Harkaway Cup, and again in 1840 when mysteriously known as the Goodwood Cup of 1839. A year later it became known by the more suitable title of Chesterfield Cup, later adjusted to the Chesterfield Stakes. The race was named after the sixth Earl of Chesterfield, George Stanhope who won 2 Goodwood Cups with Priam who he purchased after the colt had landed the 1830 Epsom Derby. The race was part of the Glorious Goodwood programme up until 1969, then was replaced by the Laurels Handicap over roughly the same distance, but confined to older horses, with the Chesterfield Cup moved to the next meeting in August. The Cup was reintroduced to the Festival programme in 1979 on the last day, but in 1983 became a stalwart of the opening day of the Festival, albeit under a variety of names dependant on its sponsor.
Early history:-The inaugural running of the Chesterfield Cup, then known as the Harkaway Cup, was on Friday 2nd August 1839, was won by Lord Eglinton’s Bellona, beating Confusionee and The Corsair.
Chesterfield Cup 1841 Handicap 1 mile 1 furlong 192yds
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 DOCTOR CAIUS T Lye 4-8st 11lbs Lord Eglinton 10/1
2 MAROON Sim Templeman 4-8st 5lbs Lord Westminster 10/1
3 MUS S Rogers aged-8st 12lbs Duke of Richmond 4/1
4 ST FRANCIS Jem Robinson 6-9st 8lbs Mr Pettit 4/1
5 THE POTENTATE Pettit aged-9st 0lbs Lord Eglinton 100/8
6 THE CORSAIR Wakefield 5-8st 4lbs Lord Lichfield 7/2 fav
7 GARRY OWEN Nat Flatman 4-8st 2lbs Mr Byng 4/1
8 BLACK BECK J Chapple 4-7st 10lbs Mr Bowes 100/8
9 HENRI QUATRE Francis 3-6st 10lbs Lord Chesterfield 6/1
10 PERSEUS Bartholomew 4-6st 10lbs Mr Greville 100/8
11 KNIGHTSBRIDGE Bell 3-6st 10lbs Mr Dixon 100/8
DNS HALF-CASTE Howlett 4-6st 2lbs Lord George Bentinck 6/1
This race, the first to be named the Chesterfield Cup, took place on Friday 30th July 1841 and was a subscription race of 15 sovereigns each for all ages. There were 29 subscribers, and it was valued at 300 sovereigns (equivalent to £43,000 in 2021). Doctor Caius's victory meant that Lord Eglinton had won the first 3 runnings of this race, known by a different name each time. Over round 146%
The picture below is shown courtesy of Bell's Life and the Sporting Chronicle August 1841