Qatar Goodwood Festival 2025
Attending the Qatar Goodwood Festival 2025 was an honour for Avesso Magazine. We were present on Friday and Saturday, experiencing an event that unites tradition, world-class racing and hospitality in one of the most iconic settings of the British social and sporting calendar.
At the Veuve Clicquot lounge, we were welcomed with impeccable service. Elegant seating, attentive staff and a refined atmosphere turned the space into a perfect meeting point between races. Another highlight was the Visit Qatar activation at the Richmond Enclosure, which offered bespoke mementos and traditional refreshments, bringing the culture of the host nation into the heart of Goodwood with sophistication and style.
The atmosphere combined sporting excitement with social life at its finest. Restaurants presented high-quality cuisine, bars served creative cocktails and champagne, while live music added a vibrant rhythm to the intervals. Many guests were dressed impeccably, a reminder of the importance of respecting Goodwood’s traditions, where fascinators, hats and elegant dresses are an integral part of the occasion.
Racing highlights
The racing produced unforgettable moments.
• JM Jungle, ridden by Jason Hart for John and Sean Quinn, won the King George Qatar Stakes.
• Rhoscolyn, guided by Daniel Tudhope for David O’Meara, triumphed in the Coral Golden Mile.
• Two Tribes, ridden by David Egan and trained by Richard Spencer, captured the Coral Stewards’ Cup.
• Waardah, partnered by Callum Rodriguez for Owen Burrows, secured the Lillie Langtry Stakes.
• Merchant, with Tom Marquand for William Haggas, delivered a strong performance in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes.
• Al Aasy, trained by William Haggas, took the Coral Glorious Stakes under Jim Crowley.
• Sam Hawkes, also from the Haggas yard and ridden by Tom Marquand, landed the Coral Summer Handicap Stakes.
• Mudbir, trained by John & Thady Gosden and ridden by Jim Crowley, won the Whispering Angel Handicap Stakes for Shadwell Estate.
• Isaac Newton, with Ryan Moore for Aidan O’Brien, triumphed in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.
• Gladius, ridden by William Buick for Andrew Balding, captured the Coral Golden Rewards Shaker Handicap Stakes.
One of the most moving experiences was to be at the Winner’s Enclosure, where horses and jockeys return after victory to receive their trophies. The atmosphere in that space conveys the essence of Goodwood, drawing a unique connection between champions and the crowd.
The Sussex Stakes produced a historic result, with Qirat landing victory at odds of 150–1, the biggest-priced winner of a British Group One. The Markel Magnolia Cup, a much-loved feature of Thursday, was won by Sophie Forsyth, who was applauded not only for her riding but also for her fundraising efforts in aid of the King’s Trust International Project Lehar.
Fashion and culture
Fashion was officially represented this year as RIXO received the 2025 Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award in collaboration with the British Fashion Council. Founders Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey presented designs inspired by Goodwood House, now part of the racecourse’s collection, and for the first time also designed the silks worn in the Magnolia Cup, bringing fashion and racing together in a creative dialogue.
A gesture of cultural respect
During the trophy presentation of the Whispering Angel Handicap Stakes, won by Mudbir, a gesture of sensitivity stood out. As the owners from Shadwell Estate, the family of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, came forward, the rosé wine bottles from the sponsor were discreetly removed in recognition of their Muslim heritage. It was a subtle yet meaningful sign of respect, showing that tradition, sport and cultural awareness can coexist in harmony.
A festival to remember
According to the racecourse, attendance rose by ten per cent compared with the previous year, despite alternating sunshine and rain. Andrew Balding was crowned leading trainer of the week, while Oisin Murphy was named leading jockey.
Avesso Magazine is proud to have witnessed this edition of the festival first-hand, sharing the triumphs, the atmosphere and the emotion of an event that remains a defining moment in the British racing and social calendar.
