The biggest Sussex Stakes surprises in Glorious Goodwood history

The Sussex Stakes has a long history of rewarding the market leaders, with favourites and those near the head of the betting dominating the Group 1 contest over the past two decades.

Since 2005, 16 winners have started at odds of 9-2 or shorter, making the occasions when outsiders prevail all the more memorable. Ahead of this year’s renewal, here are five of the biggest Sussex Stakes shocks in recent history.

Toronado stuns Dawn Approach (2013)

Toronado was far from an unfancied runner at 11-4, but few expected him to finally get the better of the outstanding Dawn Approach after finishing behind Jim Bolger’s colt in both the 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes earlier that season.

Richard Hannon’s colt produced his best performance when it mattered most. Richard Hughes bided his time before launching a perfectly judged late challenge, reeling in the odds-on favourite inside the closing stages to reverse the form at the third attempt.

It remains one of the most satisfying Sussex Stakes victories for connections, with Hughes’ patient ride proving decisive.

Lightning Spear finally breaks through (2018)

After knocking on the door for several seasons, Lightning Spear finally secured his first Group 1 success with victory at Goodwood in 2018.

The David Simcock-trained gelding had previously failed in 15 attempts at the highest level and had already contested the Sussex Stakes twice without success. Sent off at 9-1, he produced a career-best effort under Oisin Murphy to land the prize.

Although he was unable to add another victory at Group 1 level before retirement later that year, his Goodwood success provided a fitting reward for his consistency.

Reel Buddy lands 20-1 surprise (2003)

Reel Buddy produced the biggest victory of his career when causing a 20-1 upset in the 2003 Sussex Stakes.

Trained by Richard Hannon Sr, the experienced campaigner had been competing with credit in Pattern company but arrived at Goodwood without a win in his previous seven starts. His biggest success before the Sussex had come at Group 3 level.

Legendary jockey Pat Eddery settled him towards the rear before producing him with a perfectly timed challenge inside the final furlong to snatch victory in the closing 100 yards.

Here Comes When thrives in testing conditions (2017)

One of the biggest recent shocks came in 2017 when Here Comes When defeated the heavily fancied Ribchester at odds of 20-1.

Andrew Balding’s runner arrived after a victory and a third in Listed company but had yet to make his mark in Group 1 races. However, the testing ground brought his stamina into play.

Jim Crowley sent him into the lead two furlongs from home and, despite Ribchester launching a late rally, Here Comes When refused to give way to record a memorable upset in extreme conditions.

Qirat produces one of racing’s biggest shocks (2025)

The most astonishing Sussex Stakes result of recent times came in 2025, when Qirat defied odds of 150-1 to claim a remarkable victory.

Initially deployed as the pacemaker for the 1-3 favourite Field Of Gold, Qirat was expected to set the tempo before fading. Instead, after Wayne Lordan aboard Aidan O’Brien’s Serengeti increased the pace midway through the contest, Qirat was perfectly positioned to track the stronger gallop.

The pair moved clear entering the closing stages before Qirat swept past Serengeti and quickly opened an unassailable advantage. Rosallion finished strongly for second, while Field Of Gold never threatened and could only manage fourth.

Given Qirat had spent much of his career competing in handicaps, with only a single previous Listed appearance, his victory was regarded as one of the most unlikely Group 1 results seen in Britain this century.