Goodwood Stakes

The Goodwood Stakes (Handicap) is the second oldest race still staged at the Glorious Goodwood Festival having first been run in 1823 in its current format. However, some might claim that it is the oldest race, since a Goodwood Stakes over 2 miles was staged at the 1811 meeting, a year before the inaugural running of the present day Goodwood Cup, while others would assert that a Goodwood Silver Cup was first held in 1808. It is a handicap for 3-year-olds and above over 2miles 5 furlongs, although it has fluctuated between 2 miles 5 furlongs and 2 miles throughout its history, and is currently contested over 2 miles 4 furlongs and 134 yards, making it a wonderful spectacle for the crowd, as it starts in front of the stands and is the longest presently run at the Festival.
Early history:-The inaugural running of the Goodwood Stakes was on Tuesday 12th August 1823 when the Duke of Richmond's Dandizette defeated Lord Egremont's Young Gohanna colt, although on the same card the Old Goodwood Club Stakes saw Lord Egremont’s Elfrid beat Mr C Day's Victorine.
Goodwood Stakes 1831 Handicap 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 CONCILIATION Arthur Pavis 3-6st 12lbs Duke of Richmond 30/1
2 LADY EMILY W Macdonald 5-9st 1lbs Mr Grant 5/2 fav
3 AGREEABLE G Edwards 4-8st 12lbs Mr Williamson 3/1
4 ERYMUS S Mann 4-9st 3lbs Mr Maberly 50/1
5 HINDOO Sam Day 5-9st 2lbs Mr Cosby 50/1
6 VARIATION T Lye 4-9st 1lbs Mr Scott Stonehewer 7/1
7 OATLANDS Jem Robinson 5-8st 7lbs Mr Rush 50/1
8 BUSTLE Wakefield 4-8st 5lbs Mr G Bulkeley 50/1
9 CRESCENT J Chapple 4-8st 5lbs Mr Houldsworth 50/1
10 WHIP P Conolly 4-8st 5lbs Lord Verulam 12/1
11 ZUCHARELLI T Goodisson 4-8st 3lbs Mr Ramsbotton 50/1
12 WASSAILER John Day 4-7st 9lbs Mr Biggs 6/1
13 ROADSTER T Robinson 3-7st 9lbs Mr Rush 50/1
14 SOBER ROBIN C Edwards 5-7st 9lbs Mr Coleman 50/1
15 ECHO Frank Buckle junior 3-6st 1lb Mr Forth 20/1
This race took place on Wednesday 17th August 1831 and was a subscription race of 25 sovereigns each. There were 73 subscribers and it was valued at £900 (equivalent to £110,000 in 2021) Over round 111%