Five of the most exciting days of horse racing action in the United Kingdom are set for this Tuesday when the Glorious Goodwood meeting will get underway. Notable Group One contests are set for across the week, including the Goodwood Cup on Day One, the Sussex Stakes on Day Two and the Nassau Stakes on Day Three.
The big betting race of the week comes on Saturday, as the Stewards’ Cup headlines the card. You can find a full rundown of the week ahead, as well as our tips for the major races here.
Glorious Goodwood Schedule 2026
Group One features the main attraction on the opening three days of the Glorious Goodwood meet.
Tuesday July 28: Goodwood Cup
Glorious Goodwood kicks off on Tuesday, with the 18-runner Chesterfield Cup due off at 13:50. Juveniles will be in action in the G2 Vintage Stakes at 14:25. Charlie Appleby’s Al Hudaiba will be squaring off with Aidan O’Brien’s Haffner. Next up is the G2 Lennox Stakes, where Lake Forest could be difficult to overlook.
The big race on Day One is the G1 Goodwood Cup, which features a rematch between the first two home in last month’s Ascot Gold Cup, as Scandinavia bids to confirm the form against Trawlerman. Tuesday’s card is rounded off with three handicaps and a Maiden Stakes over six furlongs.
Wednesday July 29: Sussex Stakes
Day Two of Glorious Goodwood is all about the G1 Sussex Stakes, as 2,000 Guineas hero Bow Echo takes on his elders for the first time. Gstaad is also involved, but the O’Brien runner has already finished behind the George Boughey horse on two occasions this season.
Appleby’s Opera Ballo is a fascinating angle. Wednesday’s action kicks off with a handicap over a mile and four, while the Group races come in the form of the Oak Tree Stakes and Molecomb Stakes. The latter will be contested over a rapid five furlongs, with Adonius and Pershaada battling for favouritism.
Thursday July 30: Nassau Stakes
It will be the turn of the fillies and mares to take centre stage on Day Three, as the G1 Nassau Stakes headlines the card. O’Brien-trained Diamond Necklace will be the one to beat after landing the G1 Prix de Diane on her step up in trip last time out.
A competitive Heritage Handicap kicks off the card, with the G2 Richmond Stakes featuring a Royal Ascot rematch between Night In Vegas and Cut A Dash. The other notable race on Day Three is the G3 Gordon Stakes, run over a mile and 4 furlongs, with the progressive Joseph O’Brien-trained Enceladus likely to be hard to beat.
Friday July 31: King George Qatar Stakes
The big sprint of the week is set for Friday, as a talented field will go to post to compete in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes. Night Raider has been a revelation for the Karl Burke team this season, but he’ll need to get back on track following a disappointing effort last time.
Previous course and distance winner Spicy Marg may be the interesting alternative. The G3 Thoroughbred Stakes is the only other notable group race on the eight-race schedule on Friday, and Appleby-trained Talk Of New York could be hard to beat after an excellent third in the St. James’s Palace Stakes.
Saturday August 1: Stewards’ Cup
The big betting race of the week is set for Saturday, as a big field will go to post for the Stewards’ Cup, run over six furlongs. Far Above Dream, Dubai Bling, and Binhareer dominate the early betting.
But Dark Ace may be an interesting outsider with little to find on the former after finishing within a length of Far Above Dream earlier this season. Earlier on the card, a high-quality crop of fillies and mares will contest the G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes, with John & Thady Gosden-trained Danielle chasing successive wins.
Glorious Goodwood 2026: Best Bets
Tuesday G1 Goodwood Cup: Scandinavia
The Royal Ascot rematch between Trawlerman and Scandinavia headlines the card on day one, but I would fully expect the latter to confirm the G1 Ascot Gold Cup form. The Aidan O’Brien team have dominated this contest, recording wins in the last two editions. Scandinavia typically saves plenty for himself, meaning that while he racks up wins, he will never be the highest-rated runner in training.
He is still progressing as a stayer, and has won on his previous six starts. He’ll be hard fit after that recent run at Ascot, and there’s every chance that Trawlerman will bounce after such a hard reappearance effort.
Wednesday G1 Sussex Stakes: Bow Echo
Bow Echo has been a superstar over a mile this season for the combination of George Boughey and Billy Loughnane. The three-year-old dominated the 2,000 Guineas in May, and confirmed the form with Gstaad in the G1 St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
That track might not bring out the best in him, meaning that the win can be upgraded. Bow Echo is the top-rated runner in this field, and he will get the three-year-old allowance over Opera Ballo.
Thursday G2 Richmond Stakes: Night In Vegas
Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Night In Vegas will be one of the best value plays at Glorious Goodwood this week. The two-year-old’s run in the Coventry Stakes can be upgraded, as he plugged on excellently to finish fifth in the messy race, despite being on the wrong side of the track and being bumped a furlong from home.
A return to Goodwood is a clear positive, having won over course and distance earlier this season. Has little to find on official ratings, and is versatile on all ground.
Saturday Stewards’ Cup: Dark Ace
Saturday’s feature is the big-fielded Stewards’ Cup over six furlongs. At a massive price, Dark Ace is a very interesting each-way angle. The Adrian McGuinness runner is still unexposed on the turf, having won once from his seven starts.
He has already won twice under rules this season, and was eye-catching when not beaten far at the Curragh last time. Six winners since 2012 have carried under 9th, making him very appealing. Meanwhile, he has little to find on Far Above Dream, finishing within a length of the current favourite at Newbury in May.
Trainers to Follow at Glorious Goodwood
- Ralph Beckett: Yard has an excellent record in 7f group races, winning four from ten and achieving six top-three finishers since 2021.
- John Quinn/Sean Quinn: Connections have a reliable record with their horses in Class 5 sprints over six furlongs, with eleven winners from 27 runners since 2017.
- Richard Hannon: Yard excels with their juveniles, going 8-16-26 with their two-year-old runners over 5/6/7 furlongs since the start of 2013.
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