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 1968 Handicap 2 miles 3 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ACHARACLE Brian Taylor T Leader 4-8st 7lbs Mr J K Munro 100/8
2 GINGER BOY Scobie Breasley C Benstead Mrs V Vanden Burgh 4/1 fav
3 ZALOBA Ron Hutchinson Boyd-Rochfort HM The Queen 100/9
4 GAUDY COMMODORE R Dicey Wallington Mr K MacKenzie 20/1
5 SQUARE DEAL Cafferty Todd Mr George Todd 9/2
6 PROMOTHEAN Geoff Lewis Jeremy Tree Lord Margadale 9/1
7 CED Bill Williamson Gosling Mr H L Vickery 10/1
8 JACTHELOT Stan Clayton Bruce Hobbs Mr J Shuenny 10/1
9 PERCHE SEMPRE J Wilson Brian Swift Mr B Shine 10/1
10 WILLIAM TELL Frankie Durr Allden Mr B Swindells 100/7
11 CUILLINS David Maitland Dunlop Duke of Norfolk 100/7
12 BEAU LAVENDER Errington C Benstead Mr M R Soames 20/1
13 CHATTERIS George Duffield J E Sutcliffe Mr R Chinn 20/1
14 CARRY OFF Paul Tulk Whiteman Mr W Stirling 20/1
This race took place on Wednesday 31st July 1968 and was a subscription race of 10 sovereigns each. It was valued at £1407 (equivalent to £30,000 in 2021) Over round 126%