Sussex Stakes Tips 2023

The Sussex Stakes is considered one of the most exciting Group 1s of the season, as it provides an opportunity for the best 3yos to take on their elders for the first time. Our experts have delved into the state of affairs in this year’s renewal of the mile contest, producing expert insight and tips to help you find the winner.

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Sussex Stakes Tips – Overlooked Outsiders

Baaeed is a hot favourite to land this year’s Sussex Stakes, and in turn, maintain an unbeaten record on the racetrack. His main opposition is likely to come from Coroebus, the 2000 Guineas winner who followed up in a messy renewal of the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot. Whilst these two horses are likely to be those most punters latch onto, there are some potentially interesting outsiders that could have been overlooked.

Alcohol Free is now a Group 1 winner at 2, 3 and 4, courtesy of her July Cup success last time out, she comes here in a bid to defend the crown she took 12 months ago. Whilst there’s little doubt that this is a stronger Sussex than the one she took last year, we know that she acts at Goodwood and this is clearly her time of year, so she shouldn’t be one to take lightly.

Order Of Australia represents Aidan O’Brien, who’s taken this race on five occasions, most recently with The Gurkha in 2016. He was a 40/1 winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile back in 2020 and was gaining just his second win since when bolting up in a Curragh Group 2 earlier this month, after which the Sussex was nominated as his target. Whilst he’s now 0-7 in Group 1 races in Europe, and could only finish fifth in this last year, he’s a hardy horse who arrives in peak form.

Saeed bin Suroor last took the Sussex Stakes with Ramonti (2007) and he is likely to send Real World here. This 5yo brought his record on turf to an impressive 5-7 when runner-up to Baaeed in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, having found that same rival too strong in the Lockinge on his start previous. It’s a slight concern that he missed the Coral Eclipse following a setback, but if he’s over that now he could represent a spot of each-way value.

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How to pick a Sussex Stakes winner

The Sussex Stakes is renowned for providing the classic generation (3yos) with what is usually their first opportunity to take on their elders at Group 1 level, and as such, there has been a real spread of the age of the winners in recent years. 3yos dominated in the 80s and early 90s, but there has been a level spread of winners in the last ten renewals, with five going to the 3yos and five going to the older generation.

Alcohol Free became the first filly since Soviet Song (2004) to land this when running out a length and three-quarter of last year’s race, and she’s now aiming to become only the second horse after the legendary Frankel to win multiple renewals of the Sussex Stakes.

Here Comes When caused a shock when running out a 20/1 winner of the Sussex back in 2017, capitalising on bottomless ground conditions, but this tends to be a race that the market gets right. Five winning favourites have gone in in the last ten years, and Here Comes When aside, the other winners have been priced up at single-figure odds.

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All About The Sussex Stakes: Past and Present

The Sussex Stakes is one of the most prestigious Group 1’s in the calendar and has been won by the likes of Brigadier Gerard, Giant’s Causeway and Frankel down the years. Currently sponsored by the Glorious Goodwood festival sponsors Qatar, Frankel remarkably remains the only horse to win the race more than once, showing just how competitive it is.

This has produced some memorable clashes of the generations down the years and at present, 3yos receive 8lb from their elders, whilst fillies and mares receive a 3lb allowance. 

Sir Henry Cecil’s seven wins in the Sussex Stakes make him the most successful trainer in the race’s history, whilst Sir Gordon Richards’ eight wins from 1928-1952 make him the most successful jockey.

How Do Horses Qualify For the Sussex Stakes Race?

The Sussex Stakes is open to horses aged 3yo and older, with both sexes able to run in the contest. The race tends to attract runners from both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, whilst the winners of that season’s Lockinge and Queen Anne usually represent the older generation.

What is the Sussex Stakes Prize Money in 2022?

The Sussex Stakes has a purse of £1,000,000, with the winner picking up £567,100, the second £215,000 and the third £107,600. Whilst this prize money is significant, it is potentially nothing compared to the value horses reach as either stallions or broodmares after claiming the Sussex Stakes.

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Sussex Stakes Past Winners

YEAR	HORSE	TRAINER	JOCKEY	ODDS
2021	Alcohol Free	Andrew Balding	Oisin Murphy	7/2
2020	Mohaather	Marcus Tregoning	Jim Crowley	3/1
2019	Too Darn Hot	John Gosden	Frankie Dettori	EvsF
2018	Lightning Spear	David Simcock	Oisin Murphy	9/1
2017	Here Comes When	Andrew Balding	Jim Crowley	20/1
2016	The Gurkha	Aidan O’Brien	Ryan Moore	11/8F
2015	Solow	Freddie Head	Maxime Guyon	2/5F
2014	Kingman	John Gosden	James Doyle	2/5F
2013	Toronado	Richard Hannon Sr	Richard Hughes	11/4
2012	Frankel	Sir Henry Cecil	Tom Queally	1/20F