The Goodwood is South Australia’s premier Group 1 race, held annually during the month of May. It is run over 1200m at Morphettville Racecourse under Set Weights plus Penalties conditions. Horses aged three-years-old and upwards are eligible for the race and apprentice jockeys cannot claim an allowance. A capacity field of 20 may run with up to four emergencies also being named if required.
As of 2019, The Goodwood carries $750,000 in prizemoney with the winner receiving $480,000. The Group 1 feature pays down to 10th place with horses that finish between 6th-10th receiving $7,500. In a significant blow for South Australian horse racing, The Goodwood received a 25% reduction in prizemoney as part of the State government's funding cuts in 2019, with the race being run for $1 million in 2018.
First held in 1881, The Goodwood was originally a handicap event and known as the Goodwood Handicap. It changed to a Set Weights event in 2007.
Trainer Walter Hickenbotham holds the record for most wins in The Goodwood with six. He was known as ‘The Prince of Trainers’ and famous for preparing champion racehorse Carbine who won the 1890 Melbourne Cup. The Hall of Fame thoroughbred only missed a place once in his 43-start career that saw him claim 33 victories.
The Goodwood has been won by some very good horses and none bigger than unbeaten champion sprinter Black Caviar who won the 2012 edition. Trained by Peter Moody and ridden by Luke Nolen, Black Caviar was sent out as a $1.05 favourite when claiming her 21st victory by 1.3 lengths. Nolen didn’t move on the mare who would retire with a perfect 25 career wins.
Takeover Target is another champion who won The Goodwood. He was the $1.40 favourite when winning by one-length in 2009. Takeover Target raced 41 times for 21 wins and more than $6 million in prizemoney. He would also win a Lightning Stakes, King’s Stand Stakes, Sprinters Stakes, Doomben 10,000, KrisFlyer International Sprint and TJ Smith Stakes.
Royal Gem captured the 1946 edition as part of 23 career wins from 51 starts. The stallion would capture the Caulfield Cup in 1946 defeating Bernborough who ran fifth. Royal Gem would also win a Caulfield Guineas, Toorak Handicap, Newmarket Handicap and Underwood Stakes.
Other notable winners of The Goodwood include Mostyn (1894-95), Musket Belle (1911-12), Aurie’s Star (1940), Euclase (1992), Super Elegant (2004), Glamour Puss (2005) and Santa Ana Lane (2018).
The Goodwood is supported by five Group 3 races on the program. They are the Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) for fillies and mares, RA Lee Stakes (1600m), SA Fillies Classic (2500m) for three-year-old fillies, Queens Cup (2500m) and National Stakes (1200m) for two-year-olds.
