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 1856 Handicap 1 mile 1 furlong 192yds
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 TERMAGANT George Fordham 3-5st 7lbs Lord Anglesey 10/1
2 SARABAND Jem Goater 4-8st 7lbs Mr Howard 25/1
3 JESUIT Nat Flatman 4-7st 10lbs Lord Clifden 4/1 fav
4 MANGANESE John Osborne 3-8st 0lbs Mr W H Brook 25/1
5 VENGEANCE Wells 4-7st 12lbs Mr Edwards 100/15
6 GAMEKEEPER Basham 5-7st 12lbs Mr Morris 8/1
7 GRAECULUS ESURIENS Aldcroft 4-7st 7lbs Mr Bowes 10/1
8 BRIGHT PHOEBUS J Steggles 5-7st 4lbs Mr Lawrence 25/1
9 FLYAWAY T Cliff 3-6st 11lbs Mr Brown 10/1
10 DRAMATIST D Hughes 3-6st 10lbs Lord Wilton 25/1
11 RIALTO Prior 4-6st 9lbs Captain Clinton 25/1
12 NEWINGTON Humpage 3-6st 9lbs Mr Gratwicke 25/1
13 OLYMPUS Bray 3-6st 4lbs Captain Little 100/15
14 INTIMIDATION Bundy 3-6st 4lbs Lord Ailesbury 25/1
15 BOER Plumb 5-6st 4lbs Mr Payne 100/7
16 JOSHUA Bullock 4-6st 4lbs Mr H Lane 100/8
17 METON Cresswell 3-6st 2lbs Mr Drinkald 25/1
This race took place on Friday 1st August 1856 and was a subscription race of 15 sovereigns each for all ages. There were 43 subscribers, and it was valued at 300 sovereigns (equivalent to £35,000 in 2021). Over round 135%