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"Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar has had it all" Statement from Racecourse Director James Crespi

Horse Racing | Press Article 03/08/25

Goodwood Racecourse is pleased to announce that attendance at the 2025 Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar is up 10 per cent across our public enclosures compared to last year. Final attendance figures will be available in due course.

James Crespi, Racecourse Director at Goodwood Racecourse, said: “The 2025 Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar has had it all – brilliant sunshine, torrential rain and, of course, world-class racing against the beautiful backdrop of the Sussex Downs.

“This year we have been delighted to welcome Visit Qatar as the new headline sponsor of the event. Racegoers were able to experience the very best of Qatari hospitality, courtesy of the Visit Qatar activation in the Richmond Enclosure which offered complimentary, bespoke mementos and traditional refreshments. We look forward to our continued partnership with Visit Qatar and working together to elevate the festival as a highlight of the British horseracing season.

“We saw an historic result in the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes on Wednesday with Qirat’s 150-1 victory, when he became the biggest-priced winner of a British Group One.

“Ladies’ Day on Thursday got off to a great start with the Markel Magnolia Cup which was won by Sophie Forsyth, an insurance underwriter for race sponsor Markel International. Crowds cheered the dedication and hard work of all 12 riders who have not only been training hard but also raising funds for The King’s Trust International’s Project Lehar.

“Come rain or shine, the fabulous fashion of our racegoers was wonderful to see, and we were delighted to welcome RIXO as the winners of the 2025 Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award in association with the British Fashion Council. On the opening day of the festival, they showcased three designs, inspired by a visit to Goodwood House earlier in the year, which will now enter the Goodwood Collection. Our thanks to RIXO Co-founders Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey as in a Qatar Goodwood Festival first, the vintage-inspired design duo not only received the Talent in Fashion Award, but also created the colourful racing silks for the Markel Magnolia Cup.”

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

Tickets
Tickets, dining, and hospitality on sale on the website. Visit Goodwood.com or call 01243 755055 to find out more.

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About Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar

The Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar  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 Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (1m), and the £600,000 Qatar Nassau Stakes (1m2f).


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.