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 1956 Handicap 1 mile 2 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ATHENIEN II W H Carr C Pratt 3-8st 5lbs Mr A N B Holland 10/1
2 HUGH LUPUS Rae Johnstone Murless Lady Ursula Vernon 3/1 fav
3 NAVAL HONOUR Lester Piggott Nightingall Mr C W Bell 100/8
4 NICHOLAS NICKLEBY Willie Snaith Fred Armstrong Mr J Gerber 8/1
5 TRENTHAM BOY R Williams Towser Gosden Mr T Degg 100/8
6 STRANGE CONFLICT Ray Reader Beary Mr F Whelan 100/7
7 MARTIAL LAW Stan Clayton J C Waugh Mr G Vandevell 20/1
8 CASMIRI H Packham A Smyth Mrs L McVey 20/1
9 TUDOR JINKS D Forte Feakes Mr A Tompsett 9/1
10 TAPHIUS R Arnold O'Gorman Mr William O'Gorman 20/1
11 CORONATION YEAR Ken Gethin Thomas Mr A Thomas 20/1
12 GREAT PACHA Doug Smith Rogers (Ire) Gaekwar of Baroda 10/1
13 SIAMOIS S Donoghue H Price Sir Gordon Munro 20/1
14 JAI PET Duncan Keith R Thrale Mr R J Clark 20/1
15 ESTCOURT D W Morris Todd Mr R Sigtia 20/1
This race took place on Friday 3rd August 1956 and was a subscription race of 15 sovereigns each for all ages. It was valued at £1651 (equivalent to £30,000 in 2021). Over round 122%