July 24, 1998. Copyright, 1998, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Glorious Goodwood Ð a scene setter
by Midge Todhunter

The Derby is a monster picnic; Ascot a full-dress parade, and at Glorious Goodwood, society displays its glitter in public for the final fling of the season, before settling down to the matters of autumn. To many, the thought of being anywhere other than the top of the picturesque Sussex Downs which overlook the sparkling waters of Chichester Harbour, for this five-day festival of racing, would be heresy.
Racing was first introduced to Goodwood by the third Duke of Richmond in 1801. The first Goodwood Cup was run in 1812, and the meeting was changed from May to its now late July the following year, to coincide with the end of the London season.
It was King Edward VII, who loved the relaxed holiday atmosphere of the Goodwood meeting, and dubbed it ÔGloriousÕ, calling it: Ôa garden party with racing tacked onÕ.
Every day has top quality racing, including the Sussex Stakes, arguably EuropeÕs most important all-age race over one mile, the famous Goodwood Cup, one of the oldest principal events in the flat calendar, and culminating on the last day with the ultra-competitive Stewards Cup.
Recently retired Royal trainer Major Dick Hern, summed it up thus: ÔOf all the meetings, Glorious Goodwood has to be my favourite. Just to look across those rolling Downs in both directions is a truly breathtaking sight. It must be one of the most beautiful settings of any racecourse in the world.Õ/ENDS