Goodwood prize pot rises to Â£6.2m

The Goodwood action begins this weekend / Picture by Goodwood racecourse

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A three per cent increase in prize money across Goodwood's season of flat racing proves the track's determination not to put all its eggs in the Qatar Festival basket.

There’s a total of £6.2m to be won at 19 meetings on the Downs this year – starting at the season opener this Saturday, April 30.

The lion’s share of the overall pot does come at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, aka Glorious, but there is still big bucks up for grabs before and after the July 26-30 festival.

Racecourse manager Alex Eade said there was a focus on ensuring the whole season appealed to owners, trainers and jockeys.

“We aim to offer a balanced programme. It’s not just about the big international names we can attract to the Qatar festival,” he said.

“We want smaller-scale owners to have plenty of opportunity to come, and extra prize money is part of increasing our appeal to them.”

Facilities for trainers and owners are among those that bosses have invested in since last season, along with betting, catering and toilet facilities for race-goers in the Sussex Stand.