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 1981 Handicap 2 miles 3 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CASTELNAU Pat Eddery Paul Cole 3-8st 5lbs Doublet Ltd 3/1
2 ATLANTIC TRAVELLER Edward Hide J Watts Mr C Golding 9/4 fav
3 RISING FAST Richard Fox David Elsworth Mr A Potts 14/1
4 DAWN JOHNNY Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute Sir Gordon White 7/1
5 SANDRA BELLA Billy Newnes Wardle Mr D Milburn 20/1
6 CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE Alan Clark P M Taylor Mr H Thomson 8/1
7 ATHFORD Philip Waldron Henry Candy Mr R Barnett 11/2
8 CHEF MARCEL Brian Taylor Jeremy Hindley Mr K Hsu 16/1
9 MOUNTAIN MONARCH Bryn Crossley S Woodman Mr M Bryant 20/1
10 GREATHAM HOUSE Nigel Day John Jenkins Mr John Sunley 25/1
11 DROPSHOT Alan MacKay Geoff Balding Mr G Moses 33/1
This race took place on Wednesday 29th July 1981 over 2 miles 3 furlongs. It was valued at £4,604 (equivalent to £14,200 in 2021) Over round 123%