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 (Handicap) 1972 Handicap 2 miles 3 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 BISKRAH Joe Mercer Scobie Breasley 5-9st 3lbs Lady Beaverbrook 6/1
2 DUTCH BELLS Brian Taylor W Marshall Mr G Van Der Ploeg 7/1
3 FORTUNES HOPE Ernie Johnson Barry Hills Mrs M Tillman 14/1
4 SCORIA R Smyth C Crossley Mr J Lang 6/1
5 PERSIAN MAJESTY Tony Murray H Ryan Price Mr K Wheldon 4/1 fav
6 RELATE Geoff Lewis Noel Murless Mrs V Hue-Williams 7/1
7 COSSALL Eric Eldin Ryan Jarvis Mrs F Allen 8/1
8 CIDER WITH ROSIE Ron Hutchinson Staff Ingham Mr A Mullings 11/1
9 KNAVE Willie Carson Ron Smyth Mr E More O'Ferrall 13/1
10 SISTER ANNE Geoff Baxter H Ryan Price Mrs D Riley-Smith 16/1
11 WINDEN D McKay A Stevens Mr A Stevens 20/1
12 TAPIS ROSE R Edmondson D Hanley Mr A Richards 50/1
This race took place on Wednesday 26th July 1972 and was a subscription race of 10 sovereigns each. It was valued at £1860 (equivalent to £37,000 in 2021) Over round 120%