A History of the Sussex Stakes

Paradox (1885) was the first horse to do the 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes double (The 2000 Guineas is Newmarket's most prestigious mile race for three-year-olds and is one of the five Classic races).

Minoru (1909), King Edward's horse, was the first Royal winner in and took the spoils after winning The Derby earlier that year.

Landau (1954) was the Queen's first winner in the Sussex Stakes.

Petite Etoile (1959), Humble Duty (1970) and On the House (1982) are the only three fillies to have ever done the 1000 Guineas/Sussex Stakes double.

Brigadier Gerard (1971) is one of only eight horses who have ever completed the 2000 Guineas/Sussex Stakes double including Brigadier Gerard, Rock of Gibraltar and Frankel.

Giant’s Causeway (2000) is another horse on the illustrious role-of-honour. Known as ‘The Iron Horse' Giant’s Causeway was known for his incredible battling qualities and these came to the forefront in the 2000 renewal where he hung on for a three-quarter length victory. Giant's Causeway gave Aidan O’Brien his first win in the race. The now legendary ‘Master of Ballydoyle' has gone on to claim five renewals of the race…and counting!

Rock of Gibraltar (2002), part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the great recent winners of the race, taking down all his rivals in 2002 and recording his sixth Group 1 in a row at the same time.

Henrythenavigator (2008), the 2008 winner replicated the feat of Rock of Gibraltar in winning the English and Irish 2000 Guineas, St James's Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes in the same season

Frankel (2012) created history in 2012 by becoming the first horse to win the Qatar Sussex Stakes twice. Starting at odds of 1/20, the hottest-ever favourite in the race's history, the amazing colt had little difficulty in going away from his closest rival Farhh by six lengths – a joint, record-winning distance. Frankel retired at the end of 2012, having won all 14 of his starts and was given a rating of 140 in the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings – the highest since the system was established in 1977. The late trainer, Sir Henry Cecil has captured the Sussex Stakes an incredible seven-times, most notably with one of the best racehorses to ever live, Frankel in 2011 & 2012.

Toronado (2013) was one half of another ‘Duel on the Downs’ with Dawn Approach, as they squared up for the third time that year.

Kingman (2014) shares an owner with Frankel, Khalid Abdullah, who was on the scoresheet again with in 2014. The John Gosden-trained colt produced his trademark burst of speed to mow down 2013 winner Tornado inside the final furlong. Kingman retired with seven victories from eight starts and was crowned Cartier Horse of the Year.

The Gurkha (2016) secured a fifth victory for Aiden O'Brien when The Gurkha took the spoils from Galileo Gold. The pair had won the French and Newmarket 2000 Guineas respectively earlier in the season and had met previously at Royal Ascot in the St James's Palace Stakes, when it was Galileo Gold who triumphed. The Royal Ascot result was reversed in the Qatar Sussex Stakes when The Gurkha prevailed by a neck from Galileo Gold. Sadly, injury meant The Gurkha never ran again although the rock-solid form of the race was upheld by the third Ribchester, progressed to win G1 contests at Deauville, Newbury, Royal Ascot and Chantilly in 2017.

The Sussex Stakes takes place on the Wednesday of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. which this year falls on 31 July. Tickets are currently on sale at Early-Bird prices, from £20.

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