Top-quality racing in store at Goodwood - but it's still without crowds

They'll be racing in front of empty stands again at Goodwood this weekend / Picture: Alan Crowhurst, Getty

The racecourse’s August bank holiday weekend festival goes ahead behind closed doors.

And while the action can be watched on TV, it is being regarded as another missed opportunity to show that crowds can be safely let back into elite sport.

Goodwood had been set to run a 5,000 crowd trial on the final day of Glorious Goodwood but the government pulled the plug 24 hours before the event.

A month on, the government has announced a new round of sporting fixtures that can test crowd returns - and they include racing at Doncaster in September, perhaps giving hope to other racecourses there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Goodwood’s managing director of sport Adam Waterworth said it seemed unlikely either of the track’s two September meetings would have a crowd but they were hoping their season finale on October 11 might not be behind closed doors.

Meanwhile Goodwood bosses are delighted with the race line-up ahead of them this weekend.

Tomorrow’s action starts with the Chichester Observer Nursery Handicap at 12.15pm and features eight races. Saturday is the big day, the eight-race card including the Group 2 Celebration Mile and Group 3 races the Prestige Stakes and March Stakes, all sponsored by Ladbrokes.

Another eight races follow on Sunday, topped by the Group 3 Supreme Stakes.

Waterworth said it looked like being three days of exciting racing.

“We always say our Celebration Mile Saturday, with a Group 2, two Group 3s and a big handicap, would not be out of place in our festival week,” he said.

“The Celebration Mile entries contain some very good horses and although this is a very different year for racing, the three Group 3 races across Saturday and Sunday should also be of very good quality.

“Of course it’s a great shame we are still running fixtures behind closed doors, but ITV Racing are showing four races on Saturday and four on Sunday and Racing TV will be here too. We just have to hope the go-ahead for crowds to return will come soon.”

Goodwood has written to members asking if they are willing to donate their 2020 membership fees, but have stressed they are happy to give refunds or use payments for 2021 membership.