Glorious Goodwood – GORDON STAKES (GROUP THREE)

 

  • Three-year-olds only. One mile and four furlongs. First run 1902.

A St Leger trial with an excellent record. Goodwood House is the traditional English seat of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, with Gordon Castle his Scottish retreat. 

This previously extinct Dukedom was revived by Queen Victoria in 1876 in favour of the Richmond family, and the race, instigated in 1902, was named accordingly. It was open to three-year-olds and upwards for the first running in 1902 but, from 1903 onwards it has been restricted to three-year-olds. 

In recent times, Commanche Run (1984), Minster Son (1988), Nedawi (1998), Millenary (2000), Sixties Icon (2006) and 2008 victor Conduit, have all added the final Classic, the St Leger at Doncaster, to an earlier Gordon Stakes victory. Conduit held Donegal in a thrilling finish to the 2008 Goodwood race and, after his St Leger triumph, the colt swept to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf in America. That success clinched an Eclipse Award as the top Turf horse to have raced in the US in 2008. 

Phoenix Reach, successful in 2003, also enjoyed international Group One honours as he triumphed in the Hong Kong Vase, Dubai Sheema Classic and Canadian International. 

Sir Michael Stoute is the trainer with the best record, achieving his seventh success with Harbinger in 2009,
another subsequent winner of the Group one King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, who was rated the best horse in the world in 2010. 

The 12-strong field that contested the 1996 running was the most in the race’s history.

There have been 28 winning favourites out of the 66 runnings since 1946, the latest being the 2010 victor Rebel soldier at 4–1. 

Bet365 became the sponsor in 2011.  

GUIDE TO GLORIOUS GOODWOOD 2012 – CLICK HERE

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