One of the Group 1 highlights of the entire Goodwood Festival is the Sussex Stakes, which takes place on Wednesday 29th July. Unbeaten, superstar miler Bow Echo will look to land another top prize, but he will face some top opposition with Gstaad and Opera Ballo looking the main dangers.
However, our in-house tipster is taking a chance on a previous Goodwood winner running a huge race at big odds…
2026 Sussex Stakes Runners
Five wins from five starts has catapulted Bow Echo to the top of the three-year-old mile division. Now, George Boughey’s star will look to down his older rivals in what looks a vintage Sussex Stakes. A sparkling winner of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, Bow Echo then edged out old adversary Gstaad in a thrilling renewal of the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. The pair will do battle again, with the Irish 2000 Guineas winner Gstaad looking to reverse the Newmarket and Ascot form.
A fine winner of the bet365 Mile at Sandown, Opera Ballo failed to build on that when third in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. Ten Bob Tony was a shock winner of that Ascot Group 1 and he’s back to try and frank the form in this event. Charlie Appleby’s raider should be able to turn that form around and is a leading contender, but Ten Bob Tony can’t be dicounted.
An elite two-year-old last season, Zavateri claimed victory in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood before going on to win the National Stakes at the Curragh. He’s struggled since and was last seen finishing second in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, but he does add depth here. Never So Brave, Docklands and Seagulls Eleven all have strong form in the book, but are huge prices for this contest.
2026 Sussex Stakes Racecard
16:10 Goodwood
Good To FirmVisit Qatar Sussex Stakes (Group 1)
- Flat Turf
- Turf
- 1m 0f 0y
- Class 1
- 12 runners
- Win time: 1m 36s
- First Prize: £850,650
- 2nd: £322,500
- 3rd: £161,400
- 4th: £80,400
- 5th: £40,350
- 6th: £20,250
10/11 (Won)
- Win: £1.91
- Place: £1.20
towards rear, waiting for room over 2f out, headway when bumped over 1f out, ridden and ran on well final furlong, led final strides
4/1
- Place: £1.35
sweating, midfield, headway under 2f out, ridden when led final 110yds, ran on but headed final strides
9/2
- Place: £1.60
started quickly, pulled hard, soon prominent, led under 2f out, soon hung right, headed final 110yds, soon lost second and no extra
16/1
took keen hold, in rear, slightly hampered 2f out, edged right but ran on final furlong, nearest finish
25/1
in rear, headway when not clear run 2f out, soon switched left and bumped rival, no impression inside final furlong
80/1
took keen hold, towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened gradually final furlong
17/2
dwelt start, in rear, waiting for room from over 2f out, some headway when not clear run 1f out, in the clear and kept on towards finish, not recover
80/1
took keen hold, in rear, headway against far rail over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
50/1
soon raced in second, briefly led over 2f out, weakening when edged right over 1f out
50/1
took keen hold, in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out (vet said gelding was showing signs of post-race ataxia)
40/1
towards rear, headway into midfield under 4f out, dropped to rear over 2f out
200/1
soon led at fast pace, headed and weakened quickly over 2f out, lost touch final furlong
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £3.90 |
| Straight Forecast | £4.59 |
| Tricast | £11.77 |
| Trifecta | £9.80 |
Selections
The Sun:
Bow EchoThe Times:
Opera Ballo2026 Sussex Stakes Tips
Bow Echo is the most likely winner of this event and he’s going to be tough to beat, but the value selection is ZAVATERI, who has some strong form at Goodwood. Eve Johnson Houghton’s charge has struggled to find his best this season, but could relish the return to the south coast. With the leading protagonists in the betting likely to be watching each other then Zavateri can kick clear of Bow Echo, with Opera Ballo in third.
FAQ
When and where is the Sussex Stakes run?
The Sussex Stakes will take place at Goodwood racecourse on Wednesday 29th July, 2026 at 4.10pm.
How can I watch the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday?
The Sussex Stakes is live on ITV at 4.10pm on Wednesday afternoon.
When were the Sussex Stakes tips published?
The tips for the Sussex Stakes were published at 8.20am on Tuesday 28th July.
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