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Sporting Greats Kick Off The Glorious Goodwood Festival.

One of the highlights of the Summer sporting and social calendar - Glorious Goodwood, kicked off yesterday with a very special event - Sporting Greats Day – a day celebrating Britain’s sporting heroes in the beautiful setting of the West Sussex Downs.

The day began with three-times Champion Jockey Richard Dunwoody walking the course, having recently finished walking 1000 miles in 1000 hours in the Dunwoody Challenge. He was accompanied by Paul Stewart, son of racehorse owner Andy Stewart, who is recovering after being paralysed in a snowboarding accident. This was followed by a guest appearance from three times winner of the Goodwood Cup, Double Trigger.

Dunwoody was then joined by sporting heroes including Jason Leonard, the most capped forward in international rugby, legendary Welsh rugby captain Gareth Edwards and West Indies cricket player Michael Holding, Olympic Gold medallists from Beijing rower Steve Williams and double sculler Zac Purchase (who posed with the 1948 London Olympic Torch), as well as England cricket player Claire Taylor and Three-Day Eventer William Fox Pitt.

“It’s a great day’s racing, a beautiful race course but difficult to win money on,” commented Holding, a keen racing fan and one of the fastest bowlers ever to play test cricket.

Jason Leonard commented: “This is a great setting with some top class racing and hospitality too. What a fantastic day for everyone here.” Welsh rugby player Gareth Edwards said: “Sporting occasions like this are ones to favour. After returning from the Lions tour in South Africa this is a glorious day at Glorious Goodwood!”

Racing continues with the infamous Sussex Stakes; a one mile, group one race attracting some of the best horses from around the world. The Sussex Stakes is the biggest race of the festival and the total prize money is £300,000. Glorious Goodwood concludes on Saturday 1st August.