Qatar Goodwood Festival set to kick off in style today

DOHA: With five days of thrilling action set against the magnificent backdrop of the rolling Sussex countryside, Qatar Goodwood Festival – popularly known as Glorious Goodwood – explodes into action today with £300,000 Group 2 Qatar Lennox stakes on the opening day.

Traditionally taking place at the end of July, the finest thoroughbreds compete in some of the world";s most prestigious races. The Stewards"; Cup was first run in 1840, and it was here that Edward VII caused a sartorial stir by sporting a panama hat and lounge suit instead of traditional top hat and tails. The year 2015 saw a new association with Qatar, whose sponsorship will ensure that Goodwood continues to attract champion jockeys, trainers and the finest equine athletes.

The undoubted sporting and social highlight of the season, the Qatar Goodwood Festival will get under way with the opening ceremony today, a celebration of past winners and the unveiling of specially commissioned cups for the week";s feature races.

The first day will see a feast of top quality racing attracting the best equine athletes in the world accompanied by the biggest names in the sport. The opening day";s highlight is the Group 2 Qatar Lennox stakes, won in the past by Strong Suit and Observatory.

The second day will see a Qatar Sussex Stakes which is one of the highlights of the flat racing season, with prize money of £1million attracting a world-class field . This mile-long Group 1 race has previously been won by the peerless Frankel, and in 2015, the French sensation Solow. Two further Group races contribute to a supporting card full of quality, providing the perfect chance to get against the rails for the best racing the sport has to offer.

The following day will be the Ladies"; Day which is the most glamorous one of the meeting. The Group 2 Qatar Goodwood Cup is the highlight of the seven race card and now worth £300,000. And with two further Group races, the competition on track will be fierce.

On the penultimate day, the sight of a packed field of horses hurtling at speeds of over 40mph past the Goodwood grandstands will make the £300,000 Group 2 Qatar King George Stakes one of the highlights of the year. Add in three further Group races and Friday of the Qatar Goodwood Festival has to be one of the most enthralling day";s racing in the entire calendar.

The final day will witness the Qatar Nassau Stakes which will be the most significant mid-summer race for fillies and mares, thanks to increased prize money of £600,000. Won in the past by Ouija Board, Midday and The Fugue, and in 2015 Legatissimo, this historic race provides racegoers with the opportunity to see the finest equine athletes doing battle on the immaculate Goodwood turf.

The six furlong cavalry charge of the Qatar Stewards Cup is a sight to behold, with over 20 sprinters thundering down the Goodwood straight. Stand against the rails to feel the rush of air and hear the hooves pounding along the turf, or get among the crowd in the stands and enjoy unparalleled views of the action.

The Peninsula