Chester Race Days 2023

The 2023 season promises to be exciting, with a range of fixtures on offer to suit all tastes and budgets.

The Boodles May Festival, which takes place from Wednesday 10th, May to Friday 12th, May, is one of the season’s highlights, featuring three days of top-class racing, entertainment, and fashion. The festival includes some of the most prestigious events in British horse racing, including the historic Chester Cup.

The Summer Saturday season is another popular time to visit Chester Racecourse, with many family-friendly events occurring throughout June and July. The season includes the popular Ladies & Gents Evening and a range of themed events such as the Caribbean Carnival Race Day and the Roodee Rocks Race Night.

The Autumn Festival takes place in September and features some of the most valuable races of the year, including the Group 2 188Bet Chester Stakes and the Listed Stand Cup. The festival also includes the popular Family Funday, a great day out for all the family.

The season comes to a close with the Season Finale, which takes place in October and features the final racing action of the year at Chester Racecourse. The day includes a range of entertainment, including live music, food and drink stalls, and a funfair.

Chester Race Days 2020 - Chester Taxi Services

Chester Race Day Ticket Prices

For the Boodles May Festival, ticket prices start from £10 for the Dee Enclosure, with prices increasing for the Tattersalls and County Enclosures. Hospitality packages are also available, starting from £165 per person.

For the Summer Saturday season, ticket prices start from £12 for the Dee Enclosure, with prices increasing for the Tattersalls and County Enclosures. Children aged 17 and under can attend for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

For the Autumn Festival, ticket prices start from £10 for the Dee Enclosure, with prices increasing for the Tattersalls and County Enclosures. Children aged 17 and under can attend for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

For the Season Finale, ticket prices start from £10 for the Dee Enclosure, with prices increasing for the Tattersalls and County Enclosures. Children aged 17 and under can attend for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Race Day Badges

Chester Racecourse also offers a range of badges, which provide access to specific racecourse areas. The badges vary depending on the race day and the enclosure you choose.

Badges for the Boodles May Festival are available for the Dee, Tattersalls, County, and Winning Post Enclosures. Each badge provides access to specific areas of the racecourse and comes with a range of benefits, including access to exclusive bars and restaurants.

Badges for the Summer Saturday season are available for the Dee, Tattersalls, and County Enclosures. Each badge provides access to specific areas of the racecourse and comes with a range of benefits, including access to exclusive bars and restaurants.

For the Autumn Festival, badges are available for the Dee, Tattersalls, and County Enclosures. Each badge provides access to specific areas of the racecourse and comes with a range of benefits, including access to exclusive bars and restaurants.

For the Season Finale, badges are available for the Dee, Tattersalls, and County Enclosures. Each badge provides access to specific areas of the racecourse and comes with a range of benefits, including access to exclusive bars and restaurants.

Hospitality Packages

Hospitality packages are also already on offer. You can pick between the relaxed package in the restaurant facilities or from one of the private dining options. Boodle May Festival Packages for 2020 are also on offer. If you wish to be directly informed by a hospitality team member, you will only need to register interest via the form found on the hospitality pages.

If you often attend racing at Chester, you might be interested in the Chester Membership. The membership costs just £529. It comes with various benefits. You will, for instance, be able to access all the Chester and Bangor on Dee meetings. Besides that, you get a guest pass at select Chester meetings. There are also exclusive race day offers and much more.

The History

Chester is the oldest continuously operating racecourse in Great Britain. It was established in 1539 and has been in operation since then. There is a good chance it is the oldest racecourse globally.

During the occupation of Britain by the Romans, most of the sixty-five-acre site where Chester is located was not dry land. It served as a harbour on the river Dee. Today, it was used to supply the Roman garrison of Deva, the city centre of Chester. Some of the anchor stones used at the old port can still be seen at the current site of the racecourse.

After the Romans left, due to years of river action, the silt created an island inside the river. Consequently, a stone cross was built on this island. In fact, Chester Racecourse derives its name from a mix of Norse and Saxon languages, which means The Island of the Cross.

By the early middle age, a weir system was constructed on the river, which led to even more silt deposits. This led to the creation of a riverside meadow, which formed the foundation for the current racecourse.

The first award given to a horse race winner at this course was in 1512 when a hand-painted wooden bowl was awarded. In 1539, the mayor of Chester, Henry Gee, introduced an annual horse racing event. By 1817, the crowds were so huge that it made it economically viable to build a grandstand.

Few sights are more thrilling in British Racing than watching the horses thunder in the final furlong at Chester. In recent years, many purpose-built facilities have been created where one can enjoy race day at Chester. As a result, it has led to the creation of the renowned “Chester experience.”

Some Notable Events

Chester Cup Day

Chester Cup Day is one of the most prestigious race days at Chester Racecourse and takes place on Friday, 12th May, as part of the Boodles May Festival. The day features seven races, including the showpiece event of the festival, the historic Chester Cup.

The Chester Cup is a handicap race run over a distance of two miles and two furlongs, and it’s one of the most prestigious races in the UK horse racing calendar. The race has been run since 1824 and won by some of the most famous horses in racing history. The Chester Cup attracts some of the most talented stayers in the country, and the race is known for its fiercely competitive nature.

The Family Fun day

If you want a fun way to start your Summer Holidays, attend the Family Funday at Chester Racecourse. There are many fun and free activities for young racegoers.

It is the perfect chance for a family to come together and enjoy picnics in the vast spaces in the heart of Chester city. The badges and tickets in select enclosures will be sold at half prices for a limited period. To benefit from this offer.

Any children below 17 years can attend race days free if accompanied by a paying adult.

View: Race Fixture Times

The Enclosures

The Winning Post

This is the most premium ticketed enclosure at Chester. It is located next to the Winning Post and is within the area of the paddock. This area is reserved for adults and is covered to offer protection from the elements. It also offers informal seating for the attendees, providing a guaranteed seat and a perfect spot where one can socialise and enjoy the afternoon watching the horse race.

There are also premium drinks from the refill bar, which the Fattouish Grill will cater to those that feel hungry during the event with Lebanese-themed food. There is a complimentary race card given on arrival. Additionally, there are Chester Bet facilities nearby and the Parade Ring. This makes it the best spot to enjoy the whole Chester experience.

In this enclosure, there is a strict dress code. The gentlemen must wear a formal suit or sports jacket with smart trousers. They also need to be in a collared shirt and a tie. The ladies will need to wear bright dresses. No denim jeans, trainers, sportswear, or any fancy dresses are allowed in the enclosure.

County Long Room

This badge offers admission to the County Long Room Bar, covered seating in the County Stand, the new Walls Bar, and access to the County Champagne Bar in the Paddock area. It offers a fantastic view of the finishing post and final furlong. The capacity in this area is limited. To get a spot, it is recommended that you make an early purchase.

The county Long Room bade is quite popular with racegoers who want to access a perfect combination of the excellent track view while getting full access to the facilities. The dress code is similar to that of the winning post. The men must wear suits or sports jackets with smart trousers and a shirt. They also must adorn a collar and a tie. The ladies, too, must wear a bright dress. Nobody can show up in denim wear, sportswear or fancy dresses.

The Location and Parking

Chester Races is to be found in the heart of Chester city. It is pretty easy to access by rail and road. Signs are posted from all the major routes for those who have not been here before. If you have GPS navigation, getting to the venue should be even more accessible.

There is onsite parking at just £8, and it can be bought in advance online and badge or ticket selection. Besides that, parking can be purchased over the phone. You can pay in cash during the event day at the pay booths inside the car pack. The spots are offered according to those who come first.

For the Family Fun day, the parking can be bought for £11 on the event day and is not offered in advance online. The spots are provided to those who come first. Cash payments are accepted at the pay booth located at the entrance of the car park at the Open Course.

Find: additional parking in Chester

Taxis for Chester Racecourse

If you plan to attend the festival this year, the easiest way to get to Chester Racecourse is by Taxi. At Chester Taxis we provide transportation services to the racecourse from all around Chester. Our fleet includes the latest model cars and mini-bus taxis to accommodate larger groups.

When you need reliable transfer service to and from the airport or railway station, we can accommodate you. Hackney Carriages or Black Cabs, offer safe service and are an excellent choice for sightseeing journeys around the city.

Our Chester Black Cabs feature ramps that make it easy to access luggage and load and unload a pram or wheelchair. Chester is famous for its vibrant nightlife, bars, and pubs. After a day at the Boodles May Festival, we can transport you to your favourite nightspot and deliver you safely home at the end of the evening.

Things to Do in Chester