Five days of fantastic horse racing at the height of the English summer make Glorious Goodwood one of the highlights of the sporting calendar. With its spectacular location on the Sussex downs, the Goodwood Festival is a sumptuous treat for devotees of flat racing and casual fans alike.
Technically, this five-day meeting is entitled the Qatar Goodwood Festival. To racing fans and lovers of a wonderful summer day out, however, it will always and forever be known as Glorious Goodwood. Horse racing was first staged here in 1801, with a private meeting that was so successful it was extended to three days the following year. The popularity of Glorious Goodwood, as it was soon named by the press, then grew throughout the 19th century. It became a high point of the summer season and King Edward VII famously labeled it “a garden party with racing tacked on”.
Goodwood racecourse itself is stunning on a summer’s day, but the track is also highly idiosyncratic, with sharp turns, loops and undulations even in the home straight. However, the quality of the racing encourages some of the finest horses to enter Goodwood races. Three Group 1 races are staged at the meeting, which is held six weeks after Royal Ascot, a schedule that encourages many of the horses who ran there to turn out again here. Glorious Goodwood is still an important social occasion for many who flock here to sport their finery, including the panama hats that are associated with the event. But don’t let that distract you from the seriously good horse racing.
Glorious Goodwood, like many racing festivals, represents a wonderful opportunity for customers who sign up with a bookmaker to take advantage of some great Goodwood betting offers. Among the sportsbooks offering sign-up bonuses that can be used for your Goodwood betting are:
Ladbrokes: Open your account, place your initial £5 bet within 14 days and you’ll receive four £5 free bets in return that are valid for a week. This is particularly great news if you are planning to enjoy a punt on several Goodwood races during the course of the Goodwood festival.
18+ New UK+IRE customers. PayPal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Full T&C's applyBetfair: The Betfair sportsbook has a compelling offer for new customers who are planning to have a busy week of Goodwood betting. Place five bets of £10 or more and you’ll receive £20 in free bets – and if you do that five times, you’ll have the maximum £100 bonus.
New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply.
Full T&C's applyPaddy Power: Your first bet of up to £20 as a customer is completely risk-free. Sign up and stake £20 on a runner in one of the Goodwood races and if it loses you get your money back in cash. If it wins, of course, you’ll be off to a flying start and collecting your winnings.
Risk Free 20: New customers only, limited to one per person. If you've previously had a Paddy Power account, you will not qualify for the offer. Place your FIRST bet on any Sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or PayPal will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. paddy's Rewards Club: get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply.
Full T&C's applyWilliam Hill: Start an account and, when your first bet of at least £10 is settled, you’ll receive two £15 free bets to enjoy on Goodwood races. This is ideal if you have a clear idea of a couple of strong selections to follow when the Goodwood betting gets under way.
New online customers only, min £10 stake, win only, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 3x £10, 30 day expiry, free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Full Terms apply.
Full T&C's applyBet365: A serious chance to boost your punting power when you want to enjoy Goodwood betting. If you’re a new customer, you can receive up to £100 in bet credits, a bonus triggered when your first bets are settled, up to the value of your qualifying deposit.
Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Full T&C's applyWith all free bet offers, it is advisable to check the relevant T&Cs to be sure you know exactly what you are entitled to.
Glorious Goodwood has attracted substantial crowds to this scenic spot high on the Sussex downs for more than 200 years. In recent years, a total attendance of about 100,000 has flocked to Goodwood races over the five days. There is a broad choice of enclosures, all with great views of the racing, depending on your budget. With Covid-19 restrictions eased in mid-July, this is the first big meeting to be held where crowds will be allowed at close to full capacity. Given that the majority of racegoers have had to miss out on trips to great festivals such as Royal Ascot and Cheltenham this year, and that crowds have been absent or heavily restricted for nearly 18 months, the prospect of a vibrant, atmospheric day at the races is a compelling one.
On-course bookmakers, who have had such a challenging time during the pandemic, will also be out in force to take advantage of a big crowd eager to enjoy Goodwood betting. The best way to ensure you can attend this Goodwood festival is to check the racecourse website to see which tickets are available. Demand is sure to be high, so it’s advisable to do so as soon as possible. It’s also worth working out your travel arrangements. Goodwood races are held in a remote rural setting, so it’s advisable to book a car park place, or allow time to take one of the regular buses up to the course from the station in nearby Chichester.
5️⃣ sensational clashes across 5️⃣ Glorious days.
— Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 2, 2021
Which equine superstar are you looking forward to seeing on the Downs? pic.twitter.com/Nl4Fr2MrXI
If you’re unable or unwilling to make the trip to the Goodwood festival, you can still watch live footage of all the races as the top-class action unfolds. Since the late 1960s, live TV coverage of Glorious Goodwood has been available. This switched between the BBC and ITV, before the rights passed to Channel 4 in 2007. Since 2017, however, TV coverage has appeared on ITV Racing, which will no doubt be bringing its high levels of professional race-reading and analysis to this corner of Sussex once again.
One other way to watch Goodwood races is via a satellite subscription, where the course is one of those covered by Racing TV. You can also enjoy live coverage of Goodwood through a live stream on your betting website. The majority of prominent sportsbooks now offer a live streaming service, though it is always worth checking whether your chosen bookmaker does. Some sportsbooks stipulate that you must place a bet on the race in question to watch the action unfold. Others require only that you have a certain amount of money in your account, or that you have placed a bet with them recently, to qualify to watch their Goodwood live stream. And some allow you to watch completely for free, so keep your eyes peeled.
There are five action-packed days of Goodwood races in prospect, so this is a week brimming with Goodwood betting opportunities. However, it’s worth taking into account some do’s and don’ts when it comes to a big festival like this.
DO your homework. It’s well worth devoting some time to checking out the form of the runners you want to bet on – and their likely opponents. It’s also good to read what some of the leading tipsters advise.
DO make the most of any free bets on offer to help your Goodwood betting bank. Bookmakers will be keen to attract new customers, especially on the opening day of the festival, with welcome bonuses.
DO keep an eye out for special offers in certain races. Some sportsbooks will pay out on extra places in big-field handicaps, while there could be price boosts and money-back offers too.
DON’T stake the same amount on every one of the Goodwood races. Nobody can be fully confident in every selection at a five-day meeting. Mix up your stakes, and go each-way on outsiders in big fields.
DON’T bet on every race. It’s easy to get carried away when the Goodwood betting adrenalin is flowing, but if you don't have a fancy, or think the favourite will win at odds-on, sit this one out and simply watch the action instead.
DON’T chase your losses. If you’ve had a run of losers – and it happens to everybody – don’t feel you have to increase your stakes as a result. Stick to your betting plan and don’t spend what you can’t afford.
DON’T most importantly, make the Goodwood races all about betting. Yes, enjoying a bet is part of the fun at Glorious Goodwood, but so is the spectacle of top-class racing. Savour it.
Total prize money of more than £4.8million is up for grabs across the five days of Glorious Goodwood.
In longer races, such as the Group 1 Goodwood Cup, the runners leave the start and race the “wrong way” up the home straight before looping round for the finish.
Frankel won two of his 14 races here, the Sussex Stakes in 2011 and 2012. In the latter, he went off at odds of 1/20.
Frankie Dettori rode his first winner, Lizzie Hare, at Goodwood in 1987.
Glorious Goodwood is an exciting opportunity to enjoy five days of fantastic flat racing and betting. But it is important to do so responsibly. This should be a fun activity and it’s essential that you don’t find yourself investing more than you can afford in Goodwood betting. If that becomes difficult, and you are feeling tempted to spend money you don't have, there are plenty of organisations that can offer you help and practice advice, including Gamcare. We strongly urge you to use their help if you want to be certain that you are gambling responsibly at all times.
New customers only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Min Deposit: £10. First deposit matched up to £10. 1 x wagering at odds of 1.75 to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). Free bet will expire 7 days after the 1st deposit. 18 . BeGambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full Terms apply.
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18+ New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Full Terms Apply
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18+ New UK+IRE customers. PayPal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Full T&C's apply
Risk Free 20: 18+,New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply.
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18+ - Begambleaware.org - New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg. Receive 2 x £10 free bets within 24 hours of bet settlement, and further 2 x £10 free bets 7 days later. Valid for Horse Racing only. T&C’s apply.
Full T&C's applyWhen is Glorious Goodwood?
Glorious Goodwood takes place between Tuesday July 27th and Saturday July 31st this year. On sunny days the course and the festival truly lives up to its nickname and reputation as one of the most scenic tracks in the world.
How many attend Glorious Goodwood?
The record attendance for the five-day Goodwood festival is just over 100,000. Demand for tickets to Glorious Goodwood in 2021 is expected to be particularly high because the meeting is scheduled to take place so soon after the lifting of restrictions imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
How much is a box at Goodwood Races?
A variety of private boxes and other hospitality options are available for people who want to view the racing at Glorious Goodwood in luxurious style. Prices range from a few hundred pounds to several thousand – the best way to find out which option suits you is to check the racecourse website.
What time does Goodwood finish?
The time of the final race on the Glorious Goodwood card is due to be 5.20pm on every day except the first day, Goodwood Cup Day, when it is scheduled for 5.50pm. The first race is due to go off at 1.50pm each day except on the Thursday, Ladies’ Day, when an eight-race card begins at 12.45pm.
Where is Glorious Goodwood?
Goodwood races take place high on the West Sussex downs in southern England, just five miles to the north of the town of Chichester. The postcode for satnav purposes is PO18 0PS. If you travel by train to Chichester, there are regular buses to shuttle you to and from the course.
