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 1956 Handicap 2 miles 3 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 TERRINGTON N Pearson W Marshall 5-6st 10lbs Mr E Somers 100/6
2 SAPHOS Scobie Breasley Nelson Mr J Collier 100/6
3 GADS HILL Bill Rickaby Winter Mr P Bartholomew 11/2
4 ADMIRAL BYRD Doug Smith Watts Lord Derby 100/8
5 THE BLACK HORSE Eph Smith H Price Sir G Munro 7/1
6 REJOICING Rae Johnstone J C Waugh Mrs T Baron 10/1
7 BRORA Edward Hide Hide Mr J Mellings 100/8
8 KNIGHT OF KILLARNEY P Robinson Hartigan Mr R Midwood 6/1
9 PRECIPTICO Ray Reader Wallington Mr E Pacitto 100/9
10 TARA Frankie Durr Budgett Mrs J Benskin 20/1
11 ALIBI II Ken Gethin C Pratt Mr D Morris 100/7
12 JARDINIERE Lester Piggott Murless Mr T Lilley 9/2 fav
PU PAPILLIO W H Carr Todd Sir H de Trafford 8/1
This race took place on Wednesday 1st August 1956 and was a subscription race of 10 sovereigns each. It was valued at £1500 (equivalent to £66,000 in 2021) Over round 128%