Best foot forward for a record year at Goodwood

It is true there is a recession, but with a new Bank Holiday fixture on May 25 and substantial additional funding from the Levy Board which will result in total prize money of 3.75 million, 2009 is set to be a very exciting year for everyone at the West Sussex racecourse.

June Friday evenings are due to receive a makeover, while a 1.5 million investment by caterers Compass Group and a newly-formed alliance between Payne and Gunter and Goodwood in the form of Goodwood Food, will see the racecourse offer the very best in hospitality.

The new Bank Holiday Fixture on Monday, May 25, which will be billed as a Family Fun Day with free entertainment throughout the racecourse takes the number of fixtures to 23, the greatest number of racedays since racing started at Goodwood in 1802.

Managing Director Rod Fabricius explained: "We are often referred to as the world's most beautiful racecourse and people also talk about what a great place Goodwood is to socialise, but I am delighted that our commitment to prize money, turf husbandry and our desire to promote world class racing was supported by owners and trainers alike.

"Raven's Pass may have lost to Henrythenavigator in the BGC Sussex Stakes, but he returned in August to win the totesport.com Celebration Mile before going on to victory in the QE II Stakes at Ascot and the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita gaining revenge over Henry on both occasions.

"Conduit was another who won at Goodwood, winning the Betfair Gordon Stakes before going on to win both the St Leger and Breeders Cup Turf.

"We are happy to be known as the world's most beautiful racecourse and for the exceptionally warm welcome people receive but we also want to be known for the world-class racing that we put on.

"Building a successful racecourse requires investment and strong commercial relationships and we are delighted that the Levy Board investment combined with our own contribution and support from owners and sponsors will result in record prize money of 3.75 million."

The June Friday Evening Meetings will also be in for a new look, with music and fashion featuring heavily as the Racecourse looks to draw in new customers by focussing on the sociability of these fixtures.

In 2008 Richard Hannon was the runaway winner of the Dick Hern Award, the trophy given to the leading trainer for the year. In total he had a record number of 15 winners at Goodwood last year, the majority of them two-year-olds, but also included Paco Boy's victory in the Group 2 Betfair Cup.

Rod Fabricius said: "Richard has been a great supporter of Goodwood over the years and we are grateful that he has hosted our media day today. Paco Boy was clearly very progressive last year starting off in Group 3 company before going on to win the Prix de la Foret at the end of the season and we would hope that we will see him back at Goodwood next year contesting the Sussex Stakes. Congratulations are also due to Richard Hughes who had 13 winners last year.

"It is often said Goodwood is a difficult track to ride but I would suggest that if any jockey needs a few tips then they should speak to Richard who definitely knows his way around."

Goodwood fixtures in May will be: Saturday 2, Thursday 7, Wednesday 20, Thursday 21, Monday 25, Friday 29, and Saturday 30.