Goodwood Racecourse was established
by the 3rd Duke of Richmond in 1802, and is still directed by the family
of the Duke of Richmond.
Racing was originally initiated to Goodwood out of a sense of
commitment, rather than any fondness to the sport. The 3rd Duke of
Richmond was the Colonel in the Sussex Militia, and for many years, the
officers of the Militia attended their yearly meet in nearby Petworth
Park, in courteousness of the Earl of Egremont. But in 1801, the Earl
did not extend the invite, and the Duke of Richmond graciously
surrendered a part of the Goodwood Estate known as The Harroway, and
laid a race course. Due to the success of the first two-day meet, under
Jockey Club Rules, the Duke organized a three-day meet the following
year.
Situated five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England,
Goodwood's reputation as a race track grew rapidly - predominantly after
the Second World War, and to this day, it continues to stage the most
supreme racing in the sporting calendar, making it a date set in ink in
the English Summer Season diary.
The Sussex Stakes and the Nassau Stakes, has made Goodwood its
home, but since 1814, the annual "Glorious Goodwood" meet steals the
show every year.
Constantly pioneering and initiating new fixtures, on 27 August
1995 - the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday, Goodwood's first Sunday
race meet was held following the passing of the legalisation of Sunday
betting. In May 1999, the first running of the Blue Square Shergar Cup
was held, and in 2008, there are a total of 22 meets starting in May and
ending in October.
Amongst the serenity of the rolling hills of the countryside
gazing into the lapping waters licking the shore of Chichester Harbour,
The Dukes of Richmond, created the most handsome racecourse in the
kingdom and the present Duke of Richmond and his son, Lord March,
undertake the duty of ensuring the gem of their family's legacy remains. |
