Glorious Goodwood: Bosses may bid to upgrade some of their top contests

The festival features two Group 1 races – the highest-rated contests in the sport – plus a plethora of Group 2 and Group 3 events.

Racecourse MD Adam Waterworth said they’d now look at which ones had the best chance of being upgraded. Among those likely to be the subject of a bid is the King George Stakes, one of the highlights of festival Friday.

It is currently Group 2 but a number of jockeys and trainers involved in this year’s renewal – won by Aussie sprinter Ortensia – said it was a Group 1 race in all but name. That’s the sort of evidence that will help Goodwood boost the festival’s status still further ... and aid their efforts to keep luring race-goers to the Downs in their thousands.