Get ready for an exhilarating start to the 2025 Glorious Goodwood Festival with our comprehensive Day 1 betting preview, packed with trends, predictions, and key insights for one of the summer racing calendar’s premier events.
Held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the iconic Goodwood Racecourse, this opening day promises top-tier racing action, headlined by the prestigious Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes.
Glorious Goodwood Race Schedule
Tuesday
1:20 PM: Coral Goodwood Handicap (Class 2), 2m 4½f
1:55 PM: Coral Vintages Stakes (Group 2), 7f
2:30 PM: World Pool Lennox Stakes (Group 2), (Class 1), 7f
3:05 PM: Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1), 2m
3:45 PM: Coral Golden Rewards Shaker Handicap (Class 2), 5f
4:20 PM: British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes, (Class 2), 6f
4:55 PM: Ridgeview Fillies' Handicap (Class 3), 1m
5:30 PM: World Pool Bet With The Tote EBF Fillies' Handicap (Class 3), 6f
Glorious Goodwood Feature Race Preview
Coral Goodwood Handicap – 13:20
The opening race for Day 1 at Goodwood is the Coral Handicap over the 2 mile 4.5 furlong distance for horses over 4 years of age. This race favours horses with strong staying power and recent winning form.
Look for horses with at least three runs this season, as 14/23 winners fit this profile and course experience is another bonus.
The current market leader is Castle Cove for trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand, who won his handicap/seasonal debut at Chester (1m2f, soft) last month and is now up 8lb in the weights. Another horse to watch is Ancient Rome for the team of Charlie Hills and Jamie Spencer, a horse which won this event in 2023 and is currently priced at 11/1.
Coral Vintages Stakes – 13:55
The second race of the day is a Group 2, Class 1 race for horses 2 years and older. The races feature a challenging 7f course, where the tight bends and downhill run favour horses with speed and adaptability.
Low-drawn horses (stalls 1-4) have an edge, with 12/20 recent winners drawn low due to the track’s configuration. Recent form at Royal Ascot or Newmarket is a strong indicator, as 15/20 winners had a top-three finish in a Group or Listed race prior.
The current market leader is Dorset for the team of trainer AP O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore at odds of 7/4 following his win at the Curragh at the end of last month over 7 furlongs.
World Pool Lennox Stakes – 14:30
The third race of the day is open to horses 3 years and older, another 7-furlong trip which attracts top-class milers and sprinters.
This is another race where tight bends and a downhill run favour horses with speed, agility, and course adaptability. Low to middle draws (stalls 5-9) have been advantageous, with 8/11 recent winners coming from these positions
Favourite for the race at 9/4 is Jonquil for trainer Andrew Balding and jockey Oisin Murphy, who is expected to go close after finishing as the 2,000 Guineas runner-up over 6 furlongs.
Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes – 15:05
The showpiece event for Day 1 of the festival, a race run over 2 miles, is one of the premier staying contests in the British flat racing calendar, attracting the world’s elite stayers aged three years and older.
Another test of stamina, run over the 2-mile course, which features a steady climb, tight bends, and a downhill run that requires balance and endurance. The race favours horses with proven staying power, with 15/23 winners aged five or older and 21/23 having previously won over at least 2 miles. Course form is a significant advantage, as 13/23 winners had run at Goodwood before.
Favourite for the race is Illinois, who is trained by AP O’Brien and is scheduled to be ridden by Wayne Lordan with the horse an 11/10 favourite after being second in Group 1 company 3 times. He’s expected to get his first win on Tuesday.
Coral Golden Rewards Shaker Handicap - 15:45
The next race on Day 1 of Goodwood is a fiercely competitive Class 2 sprint handicap over 5 furlongs for horses aged 3 years and older with a handicap rating of 0-105 (also open to those rated 106-107 under specific conditions).
Low to middle draws (stalls 1-10) have an edge, with 7/10 recent winners drawn in this range, as the inside rail often provides a slight advantage on good ground. The race rewards horses with course form, as 6/10 winners had previously run well at Goodwood, and 8/10 had at least one prior 5f win.
A large competitive field of 22 horses is expected for this race on Tuesday, with current market leaders Redorange and Adrestia both available at 5/1, but 10/22 field are 14/1 or shorter.
British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes– 16:20
The British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes is a Class 2 maiden race over 6 furlongs for two-year-old colts and geldings that are EBF-eligible
This race favours juveniles with early speed and the ability to handle the track’s slight incline in the first furlong and downhill run thereafter. Low to middle draws (stalls 1-8) have an advantage, with 6/10 recent winners drawn in this range, as the inside rail often provides a faster path on good ground.
Current heavy favourite is Naval Light for trainer K R Burke and jockey James Doyle, who, despite being winless, has shown promise twice over 5 furlongs.
Ridgeview Fillies' Handicap (Class 3) – 16:55
The penultimate race of the day is open to fillies and mares aged three years and older rated 0-95 over the 1m distance.
This race favours low-drawn fillies (stalls 1-5), with 7/10 winners from these positions due to Goodwood’s tight bends. 8/10 winners had a top-four finish last time out, and 6/10 had course form.
Favourite is Dash Of Azzure at odds of 3/1, but of the 13 horses scheduled to run, 5 are priced 9/1 or shorter.
World Pool Bet With The Tote EBF Fillies' Handicap (Class 3)– 17:30
This is a competitive Class 3 handicap race over 1 mile 2 furlongs (10 furlongs), reserved for fillies and mares aged three years and older rated 0-95
Low to middle draws (stalls 1-6) have a strong record, with 6/10 recent winners drawn in this range, as the inside track often provides an advantage on good ground. 7/10 winners had a top-four finish in their last outing, and 5/10 had prior Goodwood form
Short price favourite is Dubai Tressure with odds of 5/2 for trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey Oisin Murphy, who impressed despite finishing 4th last time out at York earlier this month.
Bet on Horse Racing Odds at BoyleSports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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