The Lillie Langtry Stakes was first run in 2003 as a Listed race when known as the Gladness Stakes after the 1958 Goodwood Cup winner, but a year later it became the Lillie Langtry Stakes after the British Actress who was a mistress of King Edward VII. It is open to fillies and mares, 3-y-o and upwards, and is contested over 1 mile 6 furlongs. In 2004, the first year as the Lillie Langtry, it was elevated to Group 3 level, and was raised again to Group 2 level in 2018. It is traditionally staged on the fifth day of the Festival.
Early history:- The inaugural running of the Gladness Stakes, later the Lillie Langtry Stakes, was on Saturday 2nd August 2003 when Matthews Breeding and Racing’s Moments of Joy defeated Discreet Brief and Prompt Payment.