Goodwood announce major prize money boost for 2023 fixture list

Goodwood Racecourse has announced record prize money for its 2023 fixture list of £8million across 19 race-days this summer. This represents an annual uplift of £840,000 (11.5%) against 2022 figures.

The flagship Qatar Goodwood Festival, which this year runs from August 1-5 will again see The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s World Pool in operation on the first three days, with an additional thoroughbred race scheduled for Thursday. The Markel Magnolia Cup will move to a Friday slot as part of a renewed focus to bring top-class racing to the festival.

As part of the prize money increases, the Group Two Vintage and Markel Richmond Stakes will be run for increased purses of £175,000. All Group Three contests at the meeting will be run for a minimum of £100,000, while Class 2 and Class 3 races will be boosted and run for a minimum of £60,000 and £35,000, respectively.

The three Group One races across the prestigious meeting include the £1million Qatar Sussex Stakes, which last year featured turf superstar Baaeed and a first runner in the contest from Japan in the shape of Bathrat Leon. Tuesday’s highlight is the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, now the highest-rated stayers' race in the world on official rankings, while Thursday's feature will be the £600,000 Qatar Nassau Stakes.

Outside of 'Glorious Goodwood,' the EBF Daisy Warwick Stakes, as with all of Goodwood's Listed races, will see a prize contribution of £60,000, while the William Hill Tapster Stakes now run on Family Raceday, Sunday June 11, will be worth £70,000.

The inclusion of a new race, formerly the Abingdon Stakes at Newbury, now named the Weatherbys Agnes Keyser Stakes and open to three-year-old fillies who will compete over the distance of a mile and two furlongs for £70,000, will bolster the June card.

Having received positive feedback to the inaugural apprentice jockeys' card as part of the first evening's racing in June, Goodwood have pledged to make it a permanent fixture. Elsewhere, August Bank Holiday Racing will host the valuable William Hill Prestige Stakes for £80,000 (up from £60,000) and the William Hill Celebration Mile for £150,000 (up from £125,000).

Ed Arkell, Director of Racing at Goodwood Racecourse, commented: "These increases in prize money mark a significant boost to owners, trainers, and participants of the sport. Investment in prize money has always been a priority for Goodwood.

"While we have conceded two Group Three races, in the March and Supreme Stakes we accept that this is for the wider benefit of the sport and are happy to play our part.

"We remain incredibly grateful to our title partner, the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, alongside the consistent support of the European Breeders' Fund and all our other sponsors and partners. Without their support, and that of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s World Pool, we would not have been able to offer these levels of prize money."