History of the Race
The QIPCO Sussex Stakes began life in 1841 as a sprint and got nowhere. Failing to capture the public attention, it was uncontested on 25 occasions, including 14 walkovers. Today, having been transformed into a one mile race with Group 1 status – the first race of the season in which the three-year-old and older milers clash at the highest level - it is regarded as Goodwood’s most prestigious race. It rightly earns its place in the QIPCO British Champions Series.
That point is underlined by some of its cast-list. In 2010 it was won by Canford Cliffs, whose trainer said afterwards that Canford Cliffs was the best horse he had ever trained. Even more superlatives were handed out after the 2011 renewal as Frankel inflicted a devastating five-length victory over the defending champion. Just for good measure, the brilliant miler returned to Goodwood in 2012 and became the first horse to win two renewals of the race. Other celebrated winners include Brigadier Gerard, Kris, Giant’s Causeway and Rock of Gibraltar.
Current leading jockey: Frankie Dettori, 4 wins (1991, 1999, 2001, 2007)
Current leading trainer: Sir Henry Cecil, 7 wins (1975-6, 1979, 1994, 1997, 2011)
Previous Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 2012 | Frankel | Tom Queally | Sir Henry Cecil | Khalid Abdulla |
| 2011 | Frankel | Tom Queally | Sir Henry Cecil | Khalid Abdulla |
| 2010 | Canford Cliffs | Richard Hughes | Richard Hannon | Heffer Syndicate, Mrs Roy and Mrs Instance |
| 2009 | Rip Van Winkle | Johnny Murtagh | Aidan O’Brien | Magnier/Tabor/Smith |
| 2008 | Henrythenavigator | Johnny Murtagh | Aidan O’Brien | Sue Magnier |
| 2007 | Ramonti | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin |
| 2006 | Court Masterpiece | Jimmy Fortune | Ed Dunlop | Gainsborough Stud |
| 2005 | Proclamation | Michael Kinane | Jeremy Noseda | Princess Haya of Jordan |
| 2004 | Soviet Song | Johnny Murtagh | James Fanshawe | Elite Racing Club |
| 2003 | Reel Buddy | Pat Eddery | Richard Hannon | Speedlith Group |
| 2002 | Rock Of Gibraltar | Michael Kinane | Aidan O’Brien | Ferguson/Magnier |
| 2001 | Noverre | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin |
| 2000 | Giant’s Causeway | Michael Kinane | Aidan O’Brien | Magnier/Tabor |
About the Course
You may not have visited this racecourse, just north of Chichester in West Sussex, but you’ll surely have heard of ‘Glorious Goodwood’, the venue’s five-day summer festival.
The festival forms a central part of the QIPCO British Champions Series, featuring three contrasting races at the end of July – the QIPCO Sussex Stakes for Europe’s top milers, the Artemis Goodwood Cup for long-distance ‘stayers’ and the Blue Square Nassau Stakes for a select field of fillies.
Horseracing began at Goodwood in 1802, courtesy of the third Duke of Richmond. Not that he was a huge fan. His main aim was to keep the officers of the Sussex Militia entertained.
Today’s course has a complex layout, with a six-furlong straight feeding into a tight right-handed loop catering for longer-distance races. The venue is overlooked by Trundle Iron Age hill fort, acting as an informal grandstand and offering fine views across the whole course.
Find out about racing at Goodwood
Course Calendar
Click here to view Goodwood's 2013 fixtures (and select "horse racing" in the categories menu)
