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 1977 Handicap 2 miles 3 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SEA KESTREL Denis McKay Mrs R Lomax 6-7st 7lbs Mrs C Emmett 10/1
2 BELFALAS Willie Carson W Hern Lord Rotherwick 4/1 jt fav
3 RIBARBARO Edward Hide Michael Stoute Mr F Napoletano 4/1 jt fav
4 NATION WIDE S Parr Harry Wragg Mr Harry Wragg 6/1
5 MATINALE Ernie Johnson Barry Hills Mrs Olive Thurston 6/1
6 TRUSTFUL Pat Eddery Stan Mellor Mrs N Fenton 15/2
7 MARK HENRY Alan Bond Elsey Lord Allendale 10/1
8 HARDIRONDO Richard Fox S Woodman Mr P Isgar 20/1
9 HILL STATION R Still Bolton Mr D Woollard 33/1
10 MORNING LEE W Higgins V Cross Mr F Hunt 33/1
This race took place on Wednesday 27th July 1977 and was a subscription race of 10 sovereigns each. It was valued at £3,064 (equivalent to £58,000 in 2021) Over round 109%