21 July 2022
The countdown is on to the Qatar Goodwood Festival (Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 July), one of the undisputed highlights of the British Flat racing season. The world-famous five-day festival, affectionately known as 'Glorious Goodwood', presents spellbinding sport and a social occasion like no other
Featuring no less than 13 Group races, including the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, the Qatar Sussex Stakes, often referred to as the 'Duel on the Downs', and the hugely competitive King George Qatar Stakes it's the place to be seen come the end of July.
This year we hope to see outstanding stayer, Stradivarius, rewrite his own piece of history with a record fifth success in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup on Day one. The £500,000 race has been talked about as his swansong in a glittering career. Owned and bred by Bjorn Nielsen and trained by Newmarket maestro John Gosden, Stradivarius has looked good on all his starts this season.
On Wednesday, racing gets underway with the Qatar International Stakes, the UK's most valuable race for Arabian horses. French trainers have always performed particularly well in this contest, with the French-trained mare Lady Princess likely to go off favourite for trainer Thomas Fourcy. Goodwood's feature race of the festival, the £1-millon G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes follows the Qatar International Stakes. As one of the top mile races in Europe, it will feature a fascinating clash between the upcoming milers of the Classic generation and more established older milers.
The Markel Magnolia Cup opens proceeding on Thursday, 28 July. Goodwood are extremely proud of what this charity race which has achieved, raising over £1.8 million for multiple charities since its inception. Now in its eleventh year, the riders' charitable efforts will benefit the Brilliant Breakfast initiative for the Prince's Trust. The Qatar Nassau Stakes for fillies and mares is the third Group 1 contest of the week and provides the racing highlight on Ladies' Day. The contest is likely to feature some strong French form, with Dreamloper lining up following success at Longchamp in the Prix d'Ispahan in May.
The penultimate day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Friday, 29 July, hosts the King George Qatar Stakes a race won last year by Francois Rohaut, trainer of Suesa who is entered to line-up once again.
The most valuable and competitive handicaps take place on Saturday 30 July, with the Coral Golden Mile and Coral Stewards' Cup culminating to produce a thrilling finale where a plethora of equine greats are sure to be crowned.
For all ticket and hospitality enquiries for the Qatar Goodwood Festival call the Goodwood Ticket Office on 01243 755055 or visit Goodwood.com.