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 1953 Handicap 1 mile 2 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 HILLTOP W H Carr Boyd-Rochfort 4-8st 12lbs Lady Zia Wernher 11/2
2 THIRTEEN OF DIAMONDS Gordon Richards Hawkins (Ireland) Mr A L Hawkins 100/9
3 DAMREMONT T Gosling T R Rimell Mr T H Degg 100/8
4 DURANTE Beary Atty Persse Major D McCalmont 100/6
5 FLEETING MOMENT Scobie Breasley Bartlam Mrs C L Johnson 10/1
6 LONGSTONE J Wilson Ken Cundell Mrs C Evans 10/1
7 CAERLAVEROCK Frankie Durr W Smyth Duke of Norfolk 10/1
8 FASTNET ROCK Bill Rickaby Jack Jarvis Lord Rosebery 100/9
9 HVC Manny Mercer Bisgood Mrs H V Cozens 100/8
10 MIKAEL III Eph Smith Walter Nightingall Mr H T Smith 100/7
11 SUNNY BRAE E Fordyce D Watson Mr James A de Rothschild 100/7
12 TANGLE Lester Piggott Payne Lady Baron 20/1
13 RONSON Brian Swift Winter Mr P Bartholomew 20/1
14 THE DABSTER Willie Snaith J Beary Mr O S Ruane 25/1
15 BOLD TUDOR Doug Smith Nelson Maharanee of Baroda 25/1
16 REFUND T Carter E Barker Mr F G Taylor 25/1
This race took place on Friday 31st July 1953 and was a subscription race of 15 sovereigns each for all ages. It was valued at £1500 (equivalent to £31,000 in 2021). Over round 107%