Jump jockeys and trophies mark end of Goodwood season

It's been a great season on the Downs / Picture by Drew Gibson

The card begins with the Alderbook Stakes, which is the annual race for National Hunt jockeys on the Downs.

Also planned are three races for two-year-olds, which could throw up some potential winners for next season. Last year’s 2000 Guineas winner Night of Thunder won at this meeting in 2013 to alert the racing world to his talents.

Goodwood’s top trainer and jockey for the season will also be crowned – and it looks like both titles will go to trainers. That’s because Richard Hughes – who retired from the saddle at the end of the Qatar Goodwood Festival to become a trainer – is still four clear at the head of the riders’ standings for the racecourse’s 2015 season with ten race victories.

Just for good measure, trainer Hughes may send his first runner to post at Goodwood – Burning Desire in the Alderbrook.

In the standings for the Dick Hern Trophy, awarded to the track’s top trainer for the season, holder Richard Hannon heads into Sunday four wins ahead of Mark Johnston (14-10). Both have plenty of runners on the day.

Named after the four-time champion flat trainer whose support of Goodwood was symbolised by the success of the legendary Brigadier Gerard, winner of the Sussex Stakes in 1971, the Dick Hern Trophy is now in its 13th year.

Our Goodwood tips for Sunday: 2.00 Mr Fickle, 2.35 Arizona Sunrise, 3.05 Inn The Bull, 3.40 Links Drive Lady, 4.15 Cameraman, 4.45 Mawjood, 5.15 Gannicus.

Racecourse managing director Adam Waterworth said it should be a fascinating day.

“We’ve had a huge number of entries – more than 200 – and despite a lot of rain on Monday and Tuesday which has left the ground soft, the forecast is for dry weather up to and on Sunday,” he said.

“The race for National Hunt jockeys is always a great spectacle and the rest of the card looks strong.

“We’ll present the Dick Hern Trophy when the result is known and I just think it’ll be a nice, relaxed day. People know it’s their last chance to come racing with us for seven months and we’d hope for a crowd of 10,000 or so.”

Goodwood will also be celebrating a great British tradition, the Sunday roast. And fans of rugby need not miss out – the racecourse will be broadcasting the Rugby World Cup live on the screens around the site. The Doom Bar in the Gordon Enclosure will be home to Goodwood’s very own sports bar, recreating a thriving rugby clubhouse atmosphere.

It has been another memorable season of high-quality racing on the Sussex Downs and the racecourse will be showing a video on the big screens featuring some of the racing highlights from the year. Racegoers will be able to submit their own season highlight in the racecard competition.

For more information or to book tickets visit www.goodwood.com/horse-racing or call 01243 216610.

Admission is free for accompanied children under 18.

STEVE BONE

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