Goodwood Racecourse and 1/ST and partner to expand across both the UK and US

Imago

Goodwood Racecourse has become the latest UK track to partner with US betting conglomerate 1/ST, in an attempt to create easier access to a variety of wagering options across both North America and the United Kingdom for horse racing. 

The collaboration is aiming to inspire racehorses that are considered the crème de la crème to travel, increase international participation at a variety of events, create deeper fan engagement and ultimately strengthen fields that are already at an elite level.

Check out the best UK bookmakers to claim free bets worth up to £850!

According to their website, the 1/ST Group aims to: “Represent a group of world-class sports-anchored digital, technology, entertainment, wagering, media, content and real estate development companies with thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core.”

Director of racing at Goodwood Racecourse, Edward Arkell, voiced his delight, stating: “We are thrilled to announce this fantastic new initiative, and I would like to thank 1/ST for their enthusiasm and support.

“By pairing two of our most prestigious races with a pair of turf races at the Pegasus World Cup meeting, we are confident that we have unlocked a well-scheduled getaway.

“This partnership also highlights the importance of collaborating with the best horse racing in the world and allows us the opportunity to showcase the obvious benefits of working alongside the North American horse racing circuit.”

As a result of the agreement, horses that win at the Qatar Goodwood Festival and also at the Pegasus World Cup Meeting at Gulfstream Park on 25 January earn automatic entry to other key races taking place.

Entry to the 2025 Qatar Sussex Stakes is the potential prize for the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Turf winner. Meanwhile, automatic entry to the 2025 Qatar Nassau Stakes awaits the winner of the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

The winner of this year’s £1m Qatar Sussex Stakes, for Group 1 horses, automatically qualifies for the Pegasus World Cup Turf in 2026. A spot in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf in 2026 awaits the winner of the Qatar Nassau Stakes, again for Group 1 horses.

President of 1/ST, Aidan Butler, commented: “Thanks again to our friends at Goodwood Racecourse as our partnership enters its second year.

“We can’t wait to see how our Pegasus World Cup Turf winners fare on the other side of the pond and look forward to welcoming the visitors of the Qatar Sussex Stakes and Qatar Nassau Stakes back to Gulfstream Park in late January 2026 for one of the most lucrative racedays on the East Coast.

“These reciprocal pathways mark the latest strides in 1/ST’s bid to broaden the appeal and international participation in the world’s major races. We’ve already seen such incentives reap immediate rewards when Crimson Advocate won at Royal Ascot in 2023, having punched her automatic spot via our Royal Palm juvenile series at Gulfstream Park. Now, Miami can hopefully work its magic again with the Qatar Goodwood Festival!”

It is thought that the co-operation between Goodwood Racecourse will be near-identical to a deal that 1/ST created with Arena Racing Company last year, where winners from some select races at Doncaster Racecourse gained entry to 1/ST’s events in the United States.