Everything you need to know about Glorious Goodwood 2020

Here in association with Myracing.com we take a look at what all the fuss is about...

Glorious Goodwood is a five-day summer racing festival that takes place each year in late July and early August. The meeting this year features 38 races with three Group 1 contests – the Goodwood Cup (Tuesday), Sussex Stakes (Wednesday) and Nassau Stakes (Thursday).

The Goodwood Cup is the feature race on day one, Tuesday, July 28. The two-mile contest, sponsored by Al Shaqab, takes place at 3.15pm and Stradivarius will be attempting to win the race for a fourth consecutive time.

The main race on Wednesday, July 29 is the Qatar Sussex Stakes. The mile event is the fifth race on the second day and scheduled for 3.15pm. This race features undefeated Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Siskin, Summer Mile scorer Mohaather and 2,000 Guineas star Kameko.

The first four days of Goodwood is taking place in a closed-doors setting, while the final day on Saturday will see racegoers return to a racecourse in Britain for the first time since lockdown with the racecourse hosting a 5,000-strong crowd as a trial event for the public returning to sports events.

Where can I watch it?

ITV have increased their coverage of Goodwood this year and will broadcast five live races each day. They will be on air from 1.30 to 4pm from Tuesday to Friday, and on Saturday coverage lasts until 4:30.

Racing TV has coverage of the first race each day, and the last race - or last two races on eight-race days.

Why is Goodwood important?

Glorious Goodwood became a summer highlight of the Flat season in the 19th century with the West Sussex track, with its undulations and idiosyncrasies, offering a unique test for top-level racehorses that run at the meeting.

The great Frankel triumphed in the Sussex Stakes in 2011 and 2012, a race also won by Rock Of Gibraltar, Brigadier Gerard and Kris.

Crowds are back, who is allowed to go and watch?

Glorious Goodwood has been chosen to be part of a Government-backed trial for getting people returning to live sporting events.

In previous years, Goodwood has been a big social occasion for racegoers with over 100,000 people attending across the five days. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions, no members of the public will be attending the meeting, but there will be 5,000 people present – made up of 4,000 Goodwood members and owners, trainers and officials on course on Saturday 1st August.

Which star horses are running at Goodwood?

Star stayer and treble Ascot Gold Cup-winning Stradivarius will bid to become the most successful horse in the history of the Goodwood Cup when aiming for a fourth consecutive win in the Group 1 event on Tuesday July 28. He is the joint winning-most horse in the race's 200-year plus history with three victories along with Double Trigger.

The best race of 2020 Glorious Goodwood promises to be the Qatar Sussex Stakes on Wednesday July 29 with unbeaten Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Siskin, Summer Mile scorer Mohaather and Qipco 2,000 Guineas hero Kameko set to go head-to-head.

Sprinting sensation Battaash – blink and you'll miss him – is another star seeking a fourth consecutive victory at the meeting in the King George Qatar Stakes (3.15) on Friday July 31, while Deirdre, who was a historic first Japanese runner and winner at last year's Glorious Goodwood, seeks a repeat victory in the Nassau Stakes on Thursday July 30.

Dark horses to follow

MyRacing has identified six interesting contenders to watch out for during the week.

Gussy Mac (Thur 2:15 Goodwood Qatar Richmond Stakes) - July Cup-winning trainer Roger Teal is and has two from three, progressive Gussy Mac in with a chance to add to his growing reputation.

Tilsit (Fri 2:15 Goodwood Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes) - He went close on his debut at Newcastle in June and made no mistake when following up at the track next time, bolting up by 19 lengths.

Bell Rock (Tue 1:45 Goodwood Unibet You’re on Handicap) - The four-year-old has always been well regarded and won at Newmarket in commanding fashion before a fine sixth in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.

Glorious Journey (Tue 2:45 Qatar Lennox Stakes) - The Charlie Appleby-trained runner stayed on well to land the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last season and has shaped with lots of promise in two runs at Meydan and Riyadh earlier this year. Conditions should be ideal and he's one to keep onside.

Steel Bull (Wed 2:45 Goodwood Market Insurance Molecomb Stakes) - Steel Bull looked a smart juvenile in the making with his blistering debut victory for Michael O'Callaghan at Naas last week. He powered away for a convincing win from a prominent position and has a good chance of building on that this week.

Queen Power (Thur 3:15 Goodwood Qatar Nassau Stakes) - She ran well in defeat in two starts this season, finishing second to Terebellum and then a good third at Royal Ascot. Those outings were packed full of promise but she seems the type who may thrive in a better calibre of race.