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 1854 Handicap 2 miles 4 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 BRIBERY Cliff 3-5st 11lbs Lord Bruce 100/8
2 HEAPY Wells 4-6st 6lbs Mr Harrison 7/1
3 ADINE Nat Flatman 5-8st 1lbs Mr Greville 100/8
4 TROS Carroll 3-5st 5lbs Lord Zetland 5/1
5 RATAPLAN Parr 4-9st 9lbs Mr Parr 20/1
6 NANCY Aldcroft 6-9st 9lbs Mr J Martinson 20/1
7 ETHELWOLF J Mann 5-7st 5lbs Count Batthyany 25/1
8 EXACT E Sharp 4-7st 2lbs Mr Rogers 15/1
9 JOUVENCE T Sherwood 4-6st 13lb Mr Lupin 100/6
10 IRELAND'S EYE Garvey 4-6st 12lbs Mr H Hill 25/1
11 JACQUELINE Ashmall 4-6st 7lbs Lord Chesterfield 100/8
12 JOHN BULL Jem Goater 4-5st 11lbs Mr Wilkins 25/1
13 NEWBOLD Quinton 3-6st 11lbs Mr E Parr 15/1
14 DIANA Porter 3-5st 5lbs Mr Howard 9/2 fav
15 MISS TENNYSON J Steggles 4-5st 4lbs Mr R E Cooper 25/1
16 PUMICESTONE George Fordham 3-5st 8lbs Lord Wilton 100/6
This race took place on Wednesday 26th July 1854 and was a subscription race of 25 sovereigns each. There were 75 subscribers and it was valued at 300 guineas (equivalent to £35,000 in 2021) Over round 120%