The Qatar Goodwood Festival, known as "Glorious Goodwood," is a famous five-day horse racing event in West Sussex, England. It runs from July 29 to August 2, 2025. The festival features exciting flat races, stylish outfits, delicious food, and fun social events. The official Goodwood website calls it one of the top highlights of British horse racing and a unique social and sporting experience. In this guide, we’ll explore everything about QGF 2025: its history, dates, daily race highlights, fashion tips, hospitality options, and helpful advice for an amazing visit.
The Qatar Goodwood Festival is an annual horse racing event at Goodwood Racecourse near Chichester, West Sussex. It started over 200 years ago, with the first public race in 1802, earning the nickname “Glorious Goodwood.” Today, it attracts top horses and fans from around the world over five exciting summer days. Each day features world-class races, famous jockeys, and grand celebrations. The festival showcases thrilling races against the beautiful backdrop of Goodwood Racecourse, bringing together the best horses from the UK and beyond. It truly represents Britain’s top summer racing event, blending great racing with British style and hospitality.
The Qatar Goodwood Festival will take place from Tuesday, July 29 to Saturday, August 2, 2025. All five days are Premier Racedays with exciting events each day. The festival is held at Goodwood Racecourse, located in West Sussex, near Chichester. It’s about 10 miles south of Chichester and around 50 miles northeast of Gatwick Airport in London.
You can buy tickets and hospitality passes now on the Goodwood website. There are many options available, from general admission to VIP packages. The Richmond Enclosure is the top area, offering full facilities and a dress code. Goodwood also has special hospitality packages like The Secret Garden and The Final Furlong, which provide fine dining and great views of the races.
Event organizers even offer overnight and travel packages that include raceday tickets and hotel stays nearby. For more details, check out Goodwood’s Tickets & Packages page.
Each day of the festival brings new excitement with a special theme and main races. Here’s a quick look at each day’s name and key events, followed by more details:
| Day | Main Races & Events |
| Goodwood Cup Day (Tue) | Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (Group 1), cricket match by the house |
| Sussex Stakes Day (Wed) | Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1 “Duel on the Downs”) |
| Ladies’ Day (Thu) | Markel Magnolia Cup (charity race for women), Qatar Nassau Stakes (G1), fashion and style events |
| King George Day (Fri) | King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2 sprint), Coral Golden Mile, Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes, Best-Dressed Contest |
| Stewards’ Cup Day (Sat) | Coral Stewards’ Cup (historic handicap), social finale |
The festival starts on Goodwood Cup Day (Tuesday, July 29) with exciting races. The main event is the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, a historic race that covers 2 miles. Many visitors also enjoy a charity cricket match on the lawn of Goodwood House. It's a full day of great sports and socializing. Family and fashion events begin today, adding to the fun atmosphere.
Sussex Stakes Day (Wednesday, July 30) features the festival's big middle-distance race: the Qatar Sussex Stakes. Known as the "Duel on the Downs," this race is a favorite for flat racing fans. It often has champion horses and offers a prize of one million pounds. Famous winners include Frankel, who won it twice. This day is known for fast racing and stylish crowds, making it a great opportunity for international horses to compete.
Ladies’ Day on Thursday, July 31, is known for both fashion and racing. The day starts with the Markel Magnolia Cup, a charity race featuring twelve inspiring female riders. The highlight of the day is the Qatar Nassau Stakes, a top race for fillies and mares, rounding out an exciting eight-race schedule. Guests dress in their best hats and outfits, creating a stylish and lively atmosphere. There’s also a Best-Dressed competition to honor the most glamorous attendees. As Goodwood says, this day is “the place to be seen,” where fashion and racing meet at a beautiful track.
King George Day on Friday, August 1, is all about speed and celebration. The main event is the King George Qatar Stakes, a well-known sprint race. The day also features the Coral Golden Mile and the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes more fast races to enjoy. This day kicks off the long weekend with a traditional Best Dressed competition, encouraging everyone to wear their finest outfits. It’s a day filled with quick races and style, setting the mood for the weekend ahead.
The festival ends with Stewards’ Cup Day on Saturday, August 2. The main event is the Coral Stewards’ Cup, an exciting and valuable sprint race. This fast 6-furlong race draws many top sprinters and creates a lively atmosphere. It’s a great time to be with friends and family as the week comes to a close. After the races, winners celebrate in the Winning Post, and many people stay on the lawns into the evening to enjoy the last day of Goodwood fun.
At the Qatar Goodwood Festival, you can place a bet at Goodwood Festival in a few ways. You can talk to on-course bookmakers near the track. Just tell them the horse's number and how much you want to bet (for example, “£5 on Number 3”). They accept cash and cards.
You can also use the Tote, which is like a lottery where all bets go into a pool, and winners share the money. You can place Tote bets at stands or with attendants, starting from about £2. Many people also bet online using their phones or tablets, thanks to Goodwood’s Wi-Fi that connects to betting apps. So, you can bet at the track with cash or card or online before or during the Festival.
At Goodwood, you will find familiar types of horse-racing bets. Bookmakers show each horse’s odds (for example, “5/1” means you win £5 for every £1 you bet). The easiest bet is a win bet, where you pick a horse to finish first. A place bet means you win if your horse finishes in the top positions (usually first or second, or third in larger races).
An each-way bet is two bets on the same horse: one for it to win and one for it to place. This costs double (e.g., £5 each-way costs £10). If your horse wins, you get both payouts; if it places second or third, you still win the place part. A multiple bet (like a double or treble) combines several selections into one bet: all your chosen horses must win for a return. If any horse loses, the whole bet loses.
| Bet Type | What it means |
| Win | Pick a horse to finish first. |
| Place | Pick a horse to finish first or second (in top-2). |
| Each-way | Two bets on one horse: one to win and one to place (costs double). |
| Accumulator | A multiple bet on several horses (usually 4+): all must win for a return. |
Goodwood Racecourse has three main areas for visitors with tickets or hospitality enclosures:
This is the top area, accessible only to members. It has great bars, dining options, and a Champagne & Seafood Bar. Guests can also access the parade ring and view the Winning Post. There is a strict dress code here: men must wear jackets and ties, and women must wear formal dresses. This area offers the best views of the track.
This is the lively spot for most ticket holders. It has great views of the racecourse, the Parade Ring, two grandstands, and many food and drink options. The Gordon Enclosure is perfect for those who want a nice experience without being in the members-only area. There is no strict dress code; smart casual is acceptable.
This area is more relaxed and family-friendly. It has open lawns that are great for picnics and group gatherings. Families enjoy Lennox because kids can play on a small adventure course while watching the races. Tickets for Lennox are cheaper, and you can bring picnic blankets and low-back chairs (within policy).
| Enclosure | Description |
| Richmond | Premier members’ area with fine dining, champagne bar, parade ring access. Formal dress code. |
| Gordon | Central enclosure with great course views, grandstands, wide food/drink selection. |
| Lennox | Relaxed lawn seating for families and picnics, casual atmosphere and value tickets. |
Goodwood has hospitality packages and private boxes in special areas, usually with a view of the finish line. These packages include multi-course meals and private bars. Some examples are The Secret Garden and The Final Furlong, which are only available during the festival. It's a good idea to book early because these popular packages sell out fast.
When you go to QGF, your outfit matters just as much as the races. The festival feels classy and festive. Most guests wear nice clothes: women often choose day dresses and fancy hats, while men typically wear jackets, especially in Richmond. On Ladies’ Day (Thursday), everyone tries their best to look stylish. It’s a fun mix of fashion and excitement. Goodwood says, “Ladies’ Day brings together style, friendly gatherings, and thrilling horse racing.”
There’s even a Best-Dressed Contest on King George Day (Friday) where people show off their bold outfits for prizes. Dressing nicely for photos is encouraged! Whether you shop at regular stores or high-end fashion, Goodwood feels like a runway. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven grass. A light cardigan or jacket is smart for sunny days, and bring an umbrella for unexpected rain.
Goodwood is famous for its amazing food and drinks. You can find everything from fancy restaurants to street food all around the course. The Charlton Hunt restaurant and Final Furlong are popular places to sit down and eat. There are plenty of bars serving Champagne (including the well-known Veuve Clicquot bar in Richmond), wine, craft beer, and soft drinks. On Ladies’ Day and other special days, pop-up bars appear, like a champagne and seafood bar in Richmond. Don’t forget to enjoy traditional treats like free strawberries & cream and Pimm’s.
Beyond eating and drinking, there’s live entertainment every afternoon at the Earl’s Lawn with bands or DJs. There are also games, a small fairground, and kids’ activities on certain days. This makes Goodwood feel like a fun picnic or festival as well as a sporting event. Best of all, all these activities are included with your ticket.
The Qatar Goodwood Festival 2025 is not just about horse racing; it’s a fun five-day summer party filled with style and excitement. With thrilling Group 1 races and fancy outfits on Ladies’ Day, Goodwood mixes tradition with fun. Whether you’re new or a racing fan, there’s something for everyone; amazing horses, Fashion, food and Fun. Place a bet, explore the areas, and enjoy the festival atmosphere. Just dress well, stick to your budget, and make the most of every moment. Glorious Goodwood 2025 will create memories that last long after the races are over.
The Qatar Goodwood Festival 2025 is a five-day horse racing event from July 29 to August 2 at Goodwood Racecourse in West Sussex. It has top flat races, stylish fashion, and lively entertainment, making it one of the most popular racing festivals in the UK.
You can buy tickets, VIP packages, and hospitality options for the Qatar Goodwood Festival 2025 from the official Goodwood website. It's best to book early because tickets sell out quickly.
Dress codes depend on where you sit. In the Richmond Enclosure, men need to wear jackets and ties, while women should wear dresses or smart outfits. Other areas allow smart casual clothes. Ladies’ Day is famous for fancy fashion and hats.
The main races include the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup on Tuesday, Qatar Sussex Stakes on Wednesday, Qatar Nassau Stakes on Thursday, King George Qatar Stakes on Friday, and Coral Stewards’ Cup on Saturday. There’s excitement every day of the festival.
You can place bets with on-site bookmakers using cash or card, use Tote pools, or bet online through mobile apps with Goodwood's free Wi-Fi. You can choose from win, place, each-way, and accumulator bets.
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