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 1954 Handicap 2 miles 3 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 OSBORNE W Carr Boyd-Rochfort 4-8st 6lbs Brigadier W Wyatt 100/7
2 CORYDALIS Joe Mercer Sneyd Major C Raphael 13/2
3 FRENCH DESIGN Eph Smith George Todd Mr S C Banks 9/2
4 FORUM Scobie Breasley Cannon Mr J A Dewar 100/6
5 DINGO Manny Mercer Day Mrs Rex A Cohen 3/1 fav
6 CUNNINGHAM Bill Rickaby Jack Jarvis Lord Rosebery 6/1
7 EARLSWOOD Doug Smith J C Waugh Mr J Underwood 10/1
8 FLORUS Geoff Lewis Goldsmith Mr D Prenn 100/8
9 CROSSMOUNT Ray Reader Allden Mr H Tyler 100/8
10 OBVERSE D Forte Sturdy Mr R C Sturdy 100/7
11 NUAGE DORE Frankie Durr Price Mr G Judd 100/7
12 GLENBROOK A Shrive Mercer Mr A Thomas 100/6
13 MORPHISE D Morris Golightly Mrs J Lustgarten 25/1
This race took place on Wednesday 28th July 1954 and was a subscription race of 10 sovereigns each. It was valued at £1500 (equivalent to £66,000 in 2021) Over round 133%