ABOUT GLORIOUS GOODWOOD

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.

WILL THERE BE CROWDS AT GLORIOUS GOODWOOD?

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.

CAN I LIVE STREAM GLORIOUS GOODWOOD?

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.

GLORIOUS GOODWOOD DO’S AND DON’TS

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.

RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING AT GLORIOUS GOODWOOD

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.