Goodwood
A Glorious Estate with Races On Turf and Tarmac
Goodwood is one of the most historic buildings in the country. Construction of the house began in 1616 with completion coming a year later. Fast forward to 1697, the house was bought by the first Duke of Richmond.
Goodwood Racecourse has a decorated history, with horse racing taking place there since 1801. The first ever public race meeting at Goodwood began a year later in 1802.
The Qatar Goodwood Festival is known by horse racing fans as ‘Glorious Goodwood’. Over the five days, a plethora of races take place, they are: The Goodwood Cup, the Sussex Stakes, Markel Magnolia Cup (Ladies’ Day), the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes (Ladies’ Day), the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes (King George Day), The Coral Golden Mile (King George Day), the Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (King George Day) and the Stewards’ Cup Day.
Double Trigger is famous for winning the Goodwood Cup 3 times in the 1990s. Frankel is the only horse to have won the Sussex Stakes twice (2011 & 2012). The most recent winner of the Nassau Stakes was Nashwa, ridden by Hollie Doyle.
Racing at Goodwood began just a few years after the conclusion of World War Two in 1948. The first ever race was won by P. de F.C. Pycroft in his Jaguar 100. The first ever Goodwood Festival of Speed was on Sunday 20th June 1993. The fastest ever recorded time was just before the turn of the century in 1999, when Max Chilton recorded a time of 39.08 seconds in a McMurtry Speirling fan car.
There is no better way to experience the Goodwood Festival or the Goodwood Festival of Speed than with Eventmasters’ VIP Goodwood Hospitality Package.
Goodwood Racecourse Hospitality
Eventmasters are proud to offer horse racing hospitality packages for the Qatar Goodwood Festival in 2024. Please refer to the various hospitality packages listed below for further information.
Eventmasters are delighted to offer a total of 5 VIP Hospitality Packages, they are: Charlton Hunt, The Long View, The Secret Garden, The Final Furlong and The Boxes. They all offer luxurious experiences, including a multi course meal or buffet, afternoon tea, a race card, an inclusive bar and parking for the day. All offer superb views of the action unfolding as well.
Qatar Goodwood Festival Hospitality Packages 2024
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Goodwood Circuit Hospitality
Eventmasters proudly offer motor sports hospitality packages for the Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival. Experience all the action in ultimate style with our VIP hospitality packages.
For the Goodwood Revival & Festival of Speed, Eventmasters provides guests with a VIP experience. Guests can enjoy early event access, afternoon tea & coffee, complimentary drinks, breakfast and fantastic views of the action of the circuit.
Festival of Speed & Goodwood Revival 2024 Hospitality Packages
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Discover More About Goodwood
History
Starting with the Goodwood Racecourse, it is one of the most historic venues of horse racing in the country. It held it’s very first private race meeting all the way back in 1801, with the race arranged by the third Duke of Richmond for local army officers.
A year later in 1802, the first ever public horse race meeting where the highlight perhaps being when Prince Regent (who would later be crowned as King George IV) rode Rebel to victory against Cedar which was owned by the Duke of Richmond. The prize was 100 guineas.
It was not until 1812 that the first Goodwood Cup was ran in March of that year, before being moved to late July in 1814.
Fast forward to 1830, and this was when the fourth Duke of Richmond did a lot of positive things for the Goodwood Racecourse, including the construction of a brand new grandstand that would be able to hold a total of 3,000 people.
The inaugural Stewards’ Cup was first run in 1840, with the Nassau Stakes being founded in the very same year. The Sussex Stakes was introduced a year later in 1841, but in 1878 alterations to this race meant that it changed to a contest between three year old horses rather than two year old horses.
After the parade ring was moved to the south side of the racecourse in 1976, the old Stand was then demolished in 1979, which is where the current March Stand is situated.
1989 saw the construction of the new Charlton Stand with the Sussex Stand following suit in 1990. In 2002, the Goodwood Racecourse was celebrating its 200th anniversary.
This year, the Racecourse is set to play host to the latest editions of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival.
The Qatar Goodwood Festival
The Qatar Goodwood Festival is widely known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’. One of the races, the Goodwood Cup, is one of the oldest races, with it’s first taking place in 1808. The most successful horse in this race is Stradivarius (2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020).
The Sussex Stakes, first inaugurated in 1841, has Sir Gordon Richards as it’s most successful jockey, with 8 wins. As for the Nassau Stakes, they began in 1840. Sir Gordon Richards is also the joint most successful jockey in this race with 6 wins tied with Nat Flatman.
The Qatar King George Stakes take place on the third day, and it was first held in 1911. Lester Piggott is the most successful jockey in this race with 9 victories. The famous Qatar Stewards’ Cup takes place on the final day, which has been taking place since 1840. Richard Hughes has the most wins as a jockey in this race with 4 in total.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Racing at Goodwood has been going on for 75 years, beginning just after the conclusion of World War Two all the way back in 1948.
The first ever race was won by P. de F.C. Pycroft in a Jaguar 100. It was not until 1993 that the first ever Goodwood Festival of Speed was on Sunday 20th June 1993. The fastest time that has ever been recorded at the festival was just before the turn of the century in 1999, where Max Chilton recorded a time of 39.08 seconds in a McMurtry Speirling fan car.
Goodwood Revival
The Goodwood revival is one of the most iconic events in the UK, and it first took place in 1998 at the Goodwood Circuit. This was the first time that motor racing had taken place after the Goodwood motor circuit closed in 1966.
In the 1950s, Stirling Moss and five time Formula 1 World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio took part in the revival, as did the great Jim Clark and Graham Hill throughout the 1960s. Other big names to have raced in the revival include John Surtees, Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert, Sir Jack Brabham, Martin Brundle and David Coulthard.
In 2022, the likes of Jenson Button, Krun Chandhok, Stoffel Vandoorne and double Formula E Champion Jean-Eric Vergne took part in a variety of races across the three days.
There is no better way to experience the Goodwood Festival or the Goodwood Festival of Speed than with an Eventmasters’ VIP Goodwood Hospitality Package.
Facilities at Goodwood Racecourse:
There are 3 enclosures located at the Goodwood Racecourse. They are the Richmond Enclosure, the Gordon Enclosure and the Lennox Enclosure. Just some of the facilities across the various enclosures include: Entertainment, a large children’s playground and picnic spots, and there is also music on offer as well.
Attractions:
There are a number of fantastic places for you to visit, explore and enjoy that are situated in very close proximity to the Goodwood.
The Trundle (St Roche’s Hill)
The Trundle (St Roche’s Hill) is situated just 0.4 miles from the Goodwood Racecourse. It really is for nature lovers, with its fantastic scenery, and stunning views, and it is also full of wildlife for you to enjoy.
Weald & Downland Living Museum
For those who love a bit of local history, then the Weald & Downland Living Museum could well be for you. Located just 1.3 miles away from the Goodwood Racecourse, it spans over 40 acres, and it is home to over 50 historic buildings, such as a 17th Century watermill and cooking in their Tudor kitchen.
Ultimate High
The ‘Ultimate High’ is most certainly for the thrill seekers amongst you. It offers ‘hands-on’ flying adventure experiences in groups or as individuals. There are ex-military and Red Arrow instructors to help guide you!
Travelling to Goodwood
Please use the map provided by Google for further information.
How do I get to Goodwood by car?
Once you are in the vicinity of London, head towards the Wandsworth Roundabout via York Road/B305. Once you are at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Swandon Way/A217. Continue on this road, then take a slight right onto the South Circular Road/Fairfield Street/A205/A217/A3, before then heading onto the South Circular/Wandsworth High Street/A205/A3 before taking a slight left onto West Hill/A3.
Go straight onto the Kingston Bypass/A3 before keeping right in order to continue onto Portsmouth Road/A3. After you join the Lea Coach Road, go right onto the Haslemere Road/A286 before heading onto the High Street/A286 and then onto Shepherd’s Hill/A286. Once you get to the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto North Street/A286.
You will then need to head onto Knockhundred Row, which will then take you onto Church Hill. Once you have continued onto South Street, continue onto Chichester Road. Then, head onto the A286 before joining Town Lane. Stay on Town Lane before continuing onto Kennel Hill. Turn left onto Selhurst Park Road and another left will take you to the Goodwood Racecourse.
For Goodwood, follow the same route until you join Knockhundred Row. From Knockhundred Row, you will need to turn right onto Church Hill. Get onto South Street before joining Chichester Road and then the A286 before you then need to take a slight left onto Town Lane. Continue onto Kennel Hill before you turn left at Pook Lane. Turn left again, and you have arrived at Goodwood.
How do I get to Goodwood by train?
The nearest railway station to the Goodwood Racecourse is Chichester Station which is less than 6 miles away from the racecourse. There are taxis available, with the journey to the venue lasting for approximately 15 minutes.
This train station is also the closest one to Goodwood, where the Taxi ride to the house will last for approximately 12 minutes.
How do I get to Goodwood by bus?
There is a bus service that you can catch from the North Car Park from Chichester Train Station, the 900 bus service. The service runs 15 and 45 minutes past the hour from 10:15am to 13:15pm. Its last return journey from the racecourse is to be 30 minutes following the final race.
There are three bus lines that have routes that pass near the Goodwood. These lines are the 55, the 60 and the 99.
Goodwood FAQs
Is cash accepted at the Goodwood Racecourse?
Betting is still to be done with cash, but the venue is cashless so for everything else, you will need to use contactless or normal card payments at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Is there a dress code for the Qatar Goodwood Festival?
For the Qatar Goodwood Festival, there are three dress codes, one for the Richmond Enclosure, the Gordon Enclosure and the Lennox Enclosure. The Richmond Enclosure requires men to wear a jacket and tie, whereas ladies can wear a summer dress or a top and trouser/shirt combination.
In the Gordon Enclosure, it is less formal, but you are still encouraged to wear formal clothing. T-shirts, sleeveless tops (Men), sports clothing, trainers, shorts, ripped/torn joins and fancy dress are not allowed.
There is no formal dress code for the Lennox Enclosure.
Is there a dress code for Goodwood Revival and the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
For the Goodwood Revival, most people wear period dress still for authenticity, although this is not compulsory.
As for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, you should wear smart casual clothing, and ensure that you wear flat comfortable shoes with casual clothing. Smart casual dress is required whilst using corporate hospitality facilities.
Where can I park for the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Car Parking is free of charge and is on grassland. NO overnight parking or camping is allowed in any of the car parks. There is reserved parking available at the Performance Car Park, which is close to the paddock or by the start line. Motorcycles can be parked in Car Park A.
There is disabled parking available at all of the public car parks, where you will need to display your blue badge. You are able to pre-book the dedicated disabled parking field (Car Park U) near the Goodwood Hotel itself.
What are the opening times for the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
The car parks will open at 6:30am, whilst the gates will then open half an hour later at 7am. The racing is then set to begin at 8:30am each day. The event comes to a close at 7pm.
What accessibility options are available at the Goodwood Revival?
There will be yellow road signs with a disabled symbol that will direct you to the dedicated disabled parking area, which is in Car Park D and the event is then accessible through Gate 12. If necessary, you can book electric and manual wheelchairs in advance.
On which days do the races take place at the Qatar Goodwood Festival?
The famous Goodwood Cup takes place on the opening day (Tuesday 1st August), with the Sussex Stakes taking place the day after (Wednesday 2nd August). Day Three (Thursday 3rd August) of the festival is Ladies’ Day, where the Markel Magnolia Cup and the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes take place. King George Day (Friday 4th August) has the King George Qatar Stakes, the Coral Golden Mile and the Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes.
The final day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival (Stewards’ Cup Day) sees the Coral Steward’s Cup take place.
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