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Sussex Stakes
9 Aug 2011: Canford Cliffs Suffers Career-Ending Leg Injury
27 Jul 2011: Canford Cliffs Can Rise Above 2011 Sussex Stakes
21 Jul 2011: 2011 Sussex Stakes Champion “Best In The World”
The Sussex Stakes is one of the feature races of the five day Goodwood Festival at Goodwood Racecourse in Sussex. The Festival is held annually in late July or early August. The Sussex Stakes is run over one mile exactly; however, this has not always been the case.
When the Sussex Stakes were introduced in 1841 it was marketed as a six furlong event for two-year-old thoroughbreds. There was no change to this routine for thirty-seven years. In 1878 however, the distance was extended to one mile and the minimum entry age was changed to three years of age. This was mainly a move to establish the Sussex Stakes as a prestigious race in its own right.
The Goodwood Cup and the Steward's Cup were at this time the 'big' races held at Goodwood Racecourse; and the Sussex Stakes was being primed as the next feature event. The new version of the race won popularity quickly, becoming one of the most anticipated races at the course. In 1960 the race rules were amended to include four year old thoroughbreds; another change opened to race to five-year-olds in 1975.
A notoriously difficult race, which has never seen a multiple winner, the purse for the Sussex Stakes reflects the accomplishment delivered by the winner. At £300,000 up for grabs in the purse it is no surprise that this race only awards equine athletes of the highest standing. While no horse has celebrated more than one Sussex Stakes victory, there is one jockey who stands out as the single most successful rider to compete in this event (no, it is not Lester Piggott). Sir Gordon Richards won the Sussex Stakes eight times between 1928 and 1952.
Recent Winners of the Sussex Stakes:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
2010 |
Canford Cliffs |
Richard Hughes |
Richard Hannon |
1:37.44 |
2009 |
Rip Van Winkle |
Johnny Murtagh |
Aidan O'Brien |
1:37.16 |
2008 |
Henrythenavigator |
Johnny Murtagh |
Aidan O'Brien |
1:38.46 |
2007 |
Ramonti |
Frankie Dettori |
Saeed Bin Suroor |
1:37.62 |
2006 |
Court Masterpiece |
Jimmy Fortune |
Ed Dunlop |
1:36.10 |
2005 |
Proclamation |
Michael Kinane |
Jeremy Noseda |
1:40.16 |
Sussex Stakes Odds and News
2 Aug 2011: Frankel On Top Of The World After 2011 Sussex Stakes Win
There was nothing but praise for the spectacular Frankel when he extended his unbeaten run to eight by winning the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last week.
Following the race, trainer Sir Henry Cecil declared Frankel as the best horse he had ever trained.
Jockey Tom Queally, who has ridden Frankel to all eight of his wins, also believes the three-year-old colt is one in a million.
“For the boss (Sir Henry Cecil) to say he is the best he has seen, let alone trained, says it all,” Queally said.
“I could ride for the next 20 years and I won’t sit on a horse as good as him.
“Although I thought that about Midday after she won the Yorkshire Oaks last year, when she was in the form of her life, and then Frankel came along!”
The jockey said that winning the Sussex Stakes was “a relief” after the hype that had surrounded the lead-up to the race.
“I was not saying much and keeping my cards close to my chest,” he said.
“I wasn’t giving much away, but in my own mind I had tremendous faith and I did think he would win.
“But if you go around saying that before the race, and he doesn’t win, you’re setting yourself up for a fall.
“Riding a horse of his calibre means that you are going to be scrutinised in everything you say and do.
“People have said and written things and the press and media have a job to do – and I understand that.
“We all have to work as best we can really.”
Rival jockey Richard Hughes said that his mount, Canford Cliffs, did not perform at his best when finishing second to Frankel in the Sussex Stakes.
“A blind man could see he wasn’t moving that well,” Hughes said.
“I’m not saying that we’d have beaten Frankel but I would have liked to have put up a show. He wasn’t 100%.”
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27 Jul 2011: Canford Cliffs Can Rise Above 2011 Sussex Stakes
25 Jul 2011: Cecil Pledges Confidence In Frankel Ahead Of 2011 Sussex Stakes Clash
21 Jul 2011: 2011 Sussex Stakes Champion “Best In The World”
