Goodwood Racecourse is delighted to announce that the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes will be run for a record £1.5 million in 2026, further establishing the Group 1 contest as the most valuable mile race in Europe.
The uplift represents the latest enhancement to Goodwood’s partnership with Visit Qatar, following a successful first year of the sponsorship which began in 2025. The increase in prize money further builds the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar’s global standing.
Run on the Wednesday of the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar, the Group 1 Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes is one of the defining mile races of the British Flat season, bringing together the Classic generation and older horses at the height of the summer programme for the first time. The increased prize money will further strengthen Goodwood’s ability to attract the very best milers from across the leading international racing jurisdictions.
As part of the programme enhancements, the Qatar International Stakes, the Group 1 contest for purebred Arabians, will move from its traditional position as the opening race of the day to follow the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes on Wednesday afternoon. Established at the inaugural running of the festival, the race serves as the first leg of the Doha Triple Crown and holds significant international importance within Arabian racing. The revised scheduling is intended to elevate its prominence within the day and further strengthen the sporting narrative of the card.
The Duke of Richmond, CBE DL, Chairman of Goodwood Racecourse, said: “We are very proud to announce, alongside Visit Qatar, record prize money for the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes to £1.5 million. The uplift demonstrates a shared ambition to continue strengthening the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar’s global profile and to maintain its position among the world’s leading racing events.”
His Excellency Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Visit Qatar, said: “Our commitment to supporting the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar is rooted in our mutual appreciation for sporting excellence and one of British racing's most storied traditions. This year, we are delighted to demonstrate that commitment through a significant investment, bringing record prize money to the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes. This enhanced level of support reflects our understanding of the power of sport to bridge cultures and underscores Visit Qatar's dedication to elevating the festival as a premier meeting point where our cultures unite to celebrate shared values and sporting heritage.”
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