Double boost announced ahead of Goodwood’s new flat racing season
A boost in prize money and a new race have been announced by Goodwood Racecourse bosses ahead of their new season starting next week.
Officials say they’re set for a memorable season of flat racing featuring 19 fixtures headlined by the five-day Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Glorious week’s top race, the Sussex Stakes, has had its prize pot increased from £1m to £1.2m and there are high hopes a number of top overseas horses – including a star runner from Japan – can be lured to that and the week’s other high-class races. Other lower-grade races have also been given more funds.
Director of racing Ed Arkell said: “The Sussex Stakes is up to £1.2m but all our novice and maiden races are going to be run for a minimum of £20,000 this year, up £5,000 on the minimum last year.
"It's really important that horses coming through have the option to run for decent prize money, and hopefully this encourages some of those better horses to come here.”
Arkell said the Qatar Festival – running from July 28 to August 1 – would feature a new six-furlong class-four race.
"That’s giving owners and trainers who have horses at a slightly lower level the opportunity to come to a big meeting which they don't get anywhere else.
"It's a £40,000 race, so really, really valuable for the class, and hopefully that'll give us a big field size and a bit of a cavalry charge down the straight.”
Before Glorious comes a busy May and June fixture list – starting a week tomorrow.
There are four meetings in May, including some Royal Ascot trials, and another four – including the Three Friday Nights – in June. "Next week’s fixtures will two lovely days racing – relaxed, with good quality racing, and we have an additional Saturday race,” Arkell said.