Goodwood buoyed by 'really strong' Saturday as festival crowds rise by ten per cent despite rain storm

Goodwood boss Adam Waterworth described last week’s festival as “a bit of a rollercoaster” with attendances up ten per cent from last year, but two horses sustaining fatal injuries.

Waterworth also said torrential rain, thunder and lightning on the third day of the meeting had heaped extra pressure on the track’s staff and praised their efforts in dealing with the challenges brought on by the weather.

“It was a bit of a rollercoaster,” said Waterworth. “Last year we had five unbelievable days of weather and when it got to the Saturday you almost felt like the next year couldn’t come quickly enough. This year by the time we got to Saturday we were all quite pleased that we wouldn’t have to do it again for 12 months! 

“Thursday just made the week so tough. The amount of rain we had and the period we had it in made it a challenge for everyone. Of course, the ground team had problems, but it was also the case for the operations team as it makes everything more difficult when it rains like it did.”

Racegoers reached for ponchos during a deluge on Thursday at GoodwoodCredit: Edward Whitaker

Waterworth said racegoers were not put off by the consequences of Thursday’s weather, with Saturday’s attendance the largest of the week and growth in spectator levels on all days bar Tuesday, which was on a par with 12 months ago.

He said: “Going into the week we were ahead on tickets, but I couldn’t imagine there would be many people sitting at home watching on Thursday thinking, ‘I’d love to go there’. But walk-up was strong, sales were strong and on Saturday it was really strong. 

“The Gordon Enclosure, which would be our general admission enclosure, was particularly strong through the week and I always think that enclosure is the engine room of any racecourse. If that’s right then the rest follows, and to have our success this week driven by that is really encouraging.”

Following last year’s fixture, Waterworth expressed a desire to push for the King George Stakes to be promoted to a Group 1. While the ambition remains, Waterworth said winner JM Jungle “will need to win a Group 1 this season” before a case is able to be made for an upgrade.

An evaluation of the circumstances around the injuries sustained by horses during racing last week will also take place, according to Waterworth. 

Trueshan suffered a fatal injury during the Goodwood CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

While no blame was apportioned to Goodwood by the BHA or anyone connected with the injured horses, Field Of Gold and Noble Champion returned lame after their races, while Tuscan Star and Trueshan were euthanised.

Waterworth said: “The injuries were tough on everybody. These things happen, as much as nobody wants them to, and it hits the whole team here hard. This is especially going to be the case when it’s a horse who is as popular as Trueshan. The veterinary and ground staff teams were extremely good and handled it all very well. 

“I think when this sort of thing happens you should always be your worst critic, whether you’re accused of being responsible or not. We’ll go through it all with a fine-tooth comb and see whether there is anything we can learn. Clerk of the course Ed Arkell was genuinely upset at what had happened during the week when I walked the course with him on Saturday.”

Read more:

Wathnan bounce back from underwhelming Goodwood - and now set their sights on another Group 1 with Royal Ascot star Lazzat 

150-1 pacemaker Qirat pulls off historic Sussex Stakes upset to leave Field Of Gold and Goodwood stunned 

Trueshan: the 'phenomenal horse' who scaled the staying division's highest heights 

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