- Horseracing at Goodwood Racecourse begins this week with Season Opener on Friday 2 May and Saturday 3 May.
- Spitfire flypast opens both race days commemorating 80th Anniversary of VE Day.
- Two Listed contests, British Stallions Studs EBF Daisy Warwick Stakes and William Hill Conqueror Stakes set to showcase finest fillies and mares.
- Tickets and limited hospitality available at Goodwood.com.
Goodwood Racecourse is delighted to announce that it will commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a Spitfire flypast that will take place at 12pm on both Friday 2 and Saturday 3 May before racing begins.
Hurricanes, Mustangs and Spitfires all flew from RAF Westhampnett (now Goodwood Aerodrome) during the Second World War, and, to this day, Spitfires fly from Goodwood. Next Thursday, 8 May is the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a number of events due to take place across the UK, Commonwealth and beyond.
The flypasts join what is shaping up to be an action-packed start to the 2025 flat racing season at Goodwood. Season Opener racegoers can see top-tier racing with two prestigious listed races - the British Stallions Studs EBF Daisy Warwick Stakes and the William Hill Conqueror Stakes - showcasing some of the most exciting fillies and mares.
Local seafood restaurant Crabshack is set to pop up at Double Trigger restaurant at both the Season Opener and May Festival. Worthing’s award-winning eatery will be serving fresh seafood, giving racegoers that first taste of summer by the sea. The family-run establishment on Worthing seafront is nationally acclaimed for its fresh fish and seafood plates, and their specialised menu for Double Trigger includes their Stargazy fish pie, crab arancini and catch of the day.
Goodwood’s first fixture of the season brings two days of quality, pace-filled action. Saturday is a Premier Raceday, offering racegoers the very best racing action.
Gates open at 11:30 am on both days and close in the early evening.
Racing fans can also get closer to the action with complimentary trips to the starting stalls for the second, fourth and sixth races; a perfect way to see the races from a different point of view.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Season Opener takes place Friday 2 and Saturday 3 May.
Tickets
Tickets, dining, and hospitality are now on sale for all events at Goodwood Racecourse, including Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar. Visit Goodwood.com or call +44 (0)1243 755055 to find out more.
Contact
For more information about Goodwood Racecourse events, please contact Louise Gould, Press Officer: Louise.Gould@Goodwood.com
For all other press enquiries please contact: Media@goodwood.com
Imagery and news from Goodwood are available from our Press & Media site.
Stay up to date with all future announcements and on-event action across our social channels:
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Accreditation
Media accreditation for the opening events at Goodwood Racecourse is now open. Make your application here.
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About Goodwood Racecourse
Introduced to the Goodwood Estate in 1802 by the 3rd Duke of Richmond, the Goodwood Racecourse has long been steeped in horseracing heritage. From Lord George Bentinck’s winning horse in the 1836 St Leger, which was transported in secret from Goodwood to Doncaster, to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s horse Love Affair taking its final win, the racecourse has been home to some significant moments in horseracing history.
Situated on the South Downs and hosting 19 race days from May through October, thousands of racegoers flock to one of the world’s most beautiful racecourses each year to enjoy a season of top-class racing and entertainment. With a varied calendar of fixtures, race day highlights include Three Friday Nights, the May Festival, the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar—more affectionately known as Glorious Goodwood—and the Season Finale, to name a few.
The Qatar Goodwood Festival is one of the undisputed highlights of the British flat racing season. The world-famous five-day festival is a sporting and social occasion like no other, unrivalled style, superb racing, and hospitality experiences to savour mean it’s not to be missed. The 2025 Qatar Goodwood Festival takes place from Tuesday 29 July to Saturday 2 August. The week is headed by three Group 1 races, including the £500,000 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (2m), the £1 million Qatar Sussex Stakes (1m), and the £600,000 Qatar Nassau Stakes (1m2f).
