Chesterfield Cup

The Chesterfield Cup, joint fifth oldest race at Glorious Goodwood, along with the Nassau Stakes, is a handicap over 1 mile 1 furlong and 192 yards and was first run in 1839 when known as the Harkaway Cup, and again in 1840 when mysteriously known as the Goodwood Cup of 1839. A year later it became known by the more suitable title of Chesterfield Cup, later adjusted to the Chesterfield Stakes. The race was named after the sixth Earl of Chesterfield, George Stanhope who won 2 Goodwood Cups with Priam who he purchased after the colt had landed the 1830 Epsom Derby. The race was part of the Glorious Goodwood programme up until 1969, then was replaced by the Laurels Handicap over roughly the same distance, but confined to older horses, with the Chesterfield Cup moved to the next meeting in August. The Cup was reintroduced to the Festival programme in 1979 on the last day, but in 1983 became a stalwart of the opening day of the Festival, albeit under a variety of names dependant on its sponsor.
Early history:-The inaugural running of the Chesterfield Cup, then known as the Harkaway Cup, was on Friday 2nd August 1839, was won by Lord Eglinton’s Bellona, beating Confusionee and The Corsair.
Chesterfield Cup 1863 Handicap 1 mile 1 furlong 192yds
Pos. Horse Jockey Age/weight Owner
1 ACE OF CLUBS Doyle 4-7st 9lbs Lord Annesley 7/1
2 AURELIAN George Fordham 5-7st 13lbs Mr G Lambert 5/1
3 TIPPLER Deacon 3-7st 4lbs Marquis of Hastings 100/6
4 BELLMAN Hannigan 5-7st 1lbs Lord St Vincent 100/8
5 SPENCER Lynch 5-8st 0lbs Lord Palmerston 25/1
6 MONK Midgeley 6-7st 12lbs Mr Saxon 25/1
7 CHERE AMIE Challoner 6-7st 8lbs Mr Richard C Naylor 20/1
8 LEONORA Crouch 4-7st 7lbs Mr J G Blake 25/1
9 POLYNESIA H Grimshaw 4-7st 7lbs Lord Chesterfield 10/1
10 DONCASTER Judd 6-7st 6lbs Duke of Beaufort 25/1
11 AGAG T French 4-7st 6lbs Mr Richard C Naylor 100/6
12 TADEMUS Dowling 3-6st 12lbs Mr M Dennett 25/1
13 BLACKDOWN Mordan 3-6st 12lbs Mr Drewitt 20/1
14 LORD OF LINNE Graham 4-6st 10lbs Mr R Ten Broeck 25/1
15 TURCOS J Smith 3-6st 7lbs Count Batthyany 25/1
16 NEWMARKET Hunter 3-6st 7lbs Mr Watt 25/1
17 BLACK DEER Woodhouse 3-6st 5lbs Mr J Godding 25/1
18 TORNADO G Noble 3-6st 5lbs Mr R Ten Broeck 7/1
19 MUEZZIN S Adams 3-6st 0lbs Mr William Day 4/1 fav
20 CHEERFUL Ward 3-5st 7lbs Mr Handley 100/7
21 CHANTICLEER Colt J Grimshaw 3-5st 7lbs Mr J Merry 6/1
This race took place on Friday 31st July 1863 and was a subscription race of 15 sovereigns each for all ages. There were 56 subscribers, and it was valued at 300 sovereigns (equivalent to £39,000 in 2021). Over round 156%