THE epithet 'glorious' for one of horseracing's momentous occasions is not a lazy choice in alliteration — it encapsulates a wonderful five days in Sussex.

To me, the magnificent scenery, superb steeds, and friendly social atmosphere combine to rival in flat racing — if not surpass — Cheltenham in the National Hunt sphere.

The five-days of the Glorious Goodwood Festival attract the top horses at various distances, the leading trainers and owners, and vast crowds each and every day to enjoy the sport of kings and the accompanying fun and feasting.

The story of the sport in Sussex began when the Third Duke of Richmond introduced horseracing to Goodwood for the benefit of the officers of the Sussex Militia — of which he was Colonel — rather than any great devotion to the Turf.

The officers held their annual races in nearby Petworth Park, courtesy of the Earl of Egremont, but when the invitation was withdrawn in 1801 due to the Earl's capricious nature, the Duke of Richmond came to the rescue, establishing a course on the Goodwood Estate known as "The Harroway."

The Glorious Goodwood 2011 Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. It is already one of the highlights of the Summer sporting and social calendar, but this year there's even more for racegoers to enjoy. To top it all, we are likely to see Canford Cliffs (trained by Richard Hannon) versus Frankel (Sir Henry Cecil) take each other on in he Sussex Stakes — world class fare! It is being dubbed 'the duel on the Downs.'

Tickets are now on sale for the five-day Festival which begins on Tuesday, July 26, and runs until Saturday, July 30, offering guests the chance to see some of the finest horse racing in Europe.

The first is dedicated to celebrating Britain's sporting heroes. Sponsored by bet365, Sporting Greats Day attracts the great and good of the sports world.

This year, Chris Tarrant will lead a team of top celebrities into bat for a special charity cricket match on the historic pitch in front of Goodwood House. Organised by the Lord's Taverners, the UK's leading charity cricket club, founded in 1950 to give children a sporting chance, the match will see a celebrity eleven take on a team drawn from racing and cricket.

With championship horses being flown in from around the world to race in the Festival, Wednesday plays host to the most prestigious race of the week: The Sussex Stakes. This Group One race, one of the best mile races in the calendar, features as part of the inaugural British Champions Series, and new initiative launched this year to broaden the appeal of horse racing.

Thursday is Ladies' Day and a chance to show off fashionista chic. Renowned as the home of the Panama and Pimms, elegance and fashion is always high on the agenda at Goodwood.

Saturday is the most popular day with thousands of racing fans flocking to see one of the biggest sporting spectacles: the traditional cavalry charge in The Stewards' Cup, and the Group One Race, the Nassau Stakes.

Last year, saw some thrilling racing, not least when Illustrious Blue took the Artemis Goodwood Cup, beating the odds and giving trainer William Knight — who has an excellent Goodwood record, a reason to celebrate.

Seven-year-old Illustrious Blue ran a magnificent race under jockey Jim Crowley in the race that delivered a mind-bending result for spectators and bookmakers alike, beating Electrolyser by one and a half lengths and landing me a profitable exacta (picking first and second on the Tote) to boot!

The two horses went head-to-head for a long way on the home straight, giving the large crowd a pulsating spectacle.

Mid-Day, trained by the ever-popular Henry Cecil, took the Nassau Stakes and Evens and Odds was the surprise winner of the dash on the Saturday known as the bluesquare.com Stewards Cup.

More first class entertainment is on the cards for the 2011 version of Glorious Goodwood and I, for one, can't wait to arrive at one of the most stunning courses in the world.

See you there!

Keith Whitford.