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

2026 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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