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Goodwood welcomes Fitzdares as presenting partner for Season Opener, May Festival & Three Friday Nights

Horse Racing | Press Article 30/04/26

Goodwood is pleased to announce that Fitzdares will present the first three fixtures of its 2026 season:

  • Season Opener, Friday 1 & Saturday 2 May
  • May Festival, Friday 22 & Saturday 23 May
  • Three Friday Nights, Friday 5, 12 & 19 June

The partnership encompasses Goodwood’s early summer fixtures, each with its own unique identity. The partnership will begin at Season Opener, where horseracing returns to Goodwood Racecourse and will celebrate the wider Goodwood Estate.

The premium London-based bookmaker will also partner with Goodwood Racecourse for May Festival, a meeting that attracts emerging racing talent, including potential Classic contenders and Group 1 hopefuls. This is followed by Three Friday Nights, a unique crossover of horseracing and live music in June, where the Goodwood Parade Ring is transformed into a dancefloor as the sun sets. The series will welcome internationally recognised acts including Sub Focus, Riordan, and DJ Luck & MC Neat.

Fitzdares and Goodwood share a strong horseracing tradition: Fitzdares can trace its origins back to 1882, while Goodwood’s racing legacy also began in the 19th Century, when the 3rd Duke of Richmond introduced the sport to the Estate in 1802.

Fitzdares’ founder and CEO, Balthazar Fabricius, has a personal link to the racecourse through his father, Rod Fabricius, who served as Managing Director of Goodwood Racecourse for 28 years, from the 1980s through to the 2000s.

Hermione Drummond Moray, Fitzdares Sponsorship, Events and Client Director, said: “We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Goodwood as Official Presenting Partner for Season Opener, May Festival and Three Friday Nights fixtures in June. As Fitzdares’ most treasured racecourse, this felt like the perfect opportunity to renew our long-standing relationship.

“Goodwood is not only one of the most respected institutions in global racing but as an organisation, they also share our passion for heritage, glamour and sporting excellence. That’s what makes this collaboration a perfect fit.

“We’re proud to be working together to enhance the racegoer experience, contribute to the continued strength of the sport and look forward to building a partnership that reflects the very best of British racing."

Tony Langenegger, Partnership Sales Director, Goodwood Racecourse, added: “Fitzdares is well known for offering a personalised and high-end service to their customers and we’re excited to welcome them back to Goodwood Racecourse this season. Having previously partnered with us, they already understand what makes Goodwood so special, and it’s fantastic to be working together to further enhance the raceday experience for Season Opener, May Festival and Three Friday Nights.”

To purchase tickets for Goodwood’s upcoming fixtures, please visit:  goodwood.com/horseracing/fixtures-and-events/

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

  • Season Opener presented by Fitzdares takes place Friday 1 & Saturday 2 May.
  • May Festival presented by Fitzdares takes place Friday 22 & Saturday 23 May.
  • Three Friday Nights presented by Fitzdares take place Friday 5, 12 & 19 June.

Tickets
Tickets, dining, and hospitality for all three fixtures are available to purchase. Visit Goodwood.com or call 01243 755055 to find out more.

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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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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.

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About Fitzdares

Fitzdares is a London-based premium bookmaker. The company can trace its roots back to 1882, blending a rich heritage with a distinctly modern outlook, while combining traditional standards of service with betting innovation. Steeped in racing history, Fitzdares remains closely connected to the sport that underpins its identity.

Serving a discerning clientele, Fitzdares delivers a seamless betting experience across telephone, text and digital platforms, ensuring its service is both personal and progressive.

A long-standing innovator, Fitzdares was the first bookmaker to introduce text betting and later launched its native app in 2018, extending its reach without compromising its hallmark personal service.