Goodwood horseracing HISTORY
Goodwood has played host to the Sport of Kings for over 200 years.
From its tentative launch as a flat horseracing course for local officers by the third Duke of Richmond in 1802, to its colourful programme of events, fixtures, weddings and entertaining, Goodwood is one of Britain’s great estates and historic homes.
Sport of Kings
The story began when the Third Duke of Richmond introduced horseracing to Goodwood for the benefit of the officers of the Sussex Militia - of which he was Colonel - rather than any great devotion to the Turf.
The officers held their annual races in nearby Petworth Park, courtesy of the Earl of Egremont, but when the invitation was withdrawn in 1801 due to the Earl’s capricious nature the Duke of Richmond came to the rescue, establishing a course on the Goodwood Estate known as
“The Harroway”.