The C&TH Guide to Glorious Goodwood 2024

4 months ago

Trot off to West Sussex for this horseracing highlight

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The C&TH Guide to Glorious Goodwood 2024

Glorious Goodwood is cantering towards us for another year, with five thrilling days of racing returning to West Sussex from 30 July–3 August. Fancy learning more about it? What about trotting off there yourself? Here’s our ultimate guide to Glorious Goodwood 2024.

A Guide To Glorious Goodwood 2024

Horses and visitors at Glorious Goodwood

What Is Glorious Goodwood?

The five-day Qatar Goodwood Festival is a world-famous five-day horse racing event, affectionately known as Glorious Goodwood. Not to be confused with the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival or, indeed, Goodwoof – all of which are also held at the same gorgeous venue – Glorious Goodwood is held at Goodwood, an English estate in Chichester, West Sussex. The festival is one of the highlights of the British flat racing calendar, seamlessly combining spellbinding sport with an exciting social occasion.

When Is Glorious Goodwood 2024?

Glorious Goodwood will take place from Tuesday 30 July until Saturday 3 August 2024 at the Goodwood Racecourse.

What To Expect

At its heart, Glorious Goodwood is a horseracing event, with several races held each day. But which day to choose?

Day 1 (30 July) – Goodwood Cup Day: Glorious Goodwood kicks off in style, with the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup in racing, the Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award on the social side, and also the popular annual cricket match between Lord March Racing XI and the Lord’s Taverners to enjoy, set in front of Goodwood House.
Day 2 (31 July) – Sussex Stakes Day: The Qatar Sussex Stakes race – aka the ‘Duel on the Downs’ – is a highlight of the flat racing season, bringing together the season’s outstanding racehorses.
Day 3 (1 Aug) – Ladies’ Day: The day to see and be seen, Ladies’ Day is when the best hats and most stylish outfits appear at Goodwood, alongside The Markel Magnolia Cup and Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes.
Day 4 (2 Aug) – King George Day: Sprinting race the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes takes centre stage on day three, alongside The Coral Golden Mile and the Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes. Don your best blue and white outfit ahead of the Best Dressed competition – you could win a trip to South Africa…
Day 5 (3 Aug) – Stewards’ Cup Day: Glorious Goodwood closes with a bang, with The Coral Stewards’ Cup at centrestage. The emphasis is on socialising here, so dress up with your friends and family for a glorious day.

Alongside all of this, there is plenty of entertainment to enjoy alongside several food options, from the pub style 1812 Bar and Conservatory to the Veuve Clicquot Champagne & Seafood Bar. Plus, there’s no single-use here: sip your drink from a reusable cup, which you can return at the end of the day.

Which Enclosure?

OK, so we’ve convinced you to go to Goodwood this year. Next question: which enclosure to choose?

Gordon Enclosure: As the General Admission enclosure, here you will find a relaxed atmosphere with smart dress in a flat, grassy picnic area with an up-close view of the racing action, alongside music, food and entertainment. Sip gin from The Nicholson Gin Pavilion, rest in The Sussex Lounge and revel in the Sussex Roof Garden. With a Gordon Enclosure ticket, you also have access to the Lennox Enclosure.
Lennox Enclosure: Goodwood’s family-friendly enclosure, expect a fun playground, and lively Irish music from Squinty McGinty’s Band. Chow down on Goodwood Organics’ tasty burgers sourced from Goodwood Home Farm, but note that alcohol is not permitted here.
Richmond Enclosure: This is the premier enclosure, with the best views and the most luxurious food and drink offerings. Sip on drinks from stylish bars such as Veuve Clicquot & The Gusbourne Pavilion, before dining at the likes of The Charlton Hunt, The Long View or The Double Trigger. Note that a stricter dress code applies here.

Looking for something a little more private? Private boxes are also available, offering a range of dining options from afternoon tea to formal dining to buffet-style meals.