Chester


Chester Racecourse, known as the Roodee, is officially recognised as the oldest racecourse still in operation, with organised racing recorded from 1539 and some sources tracing activity back to 1512. It sits on a 65‑acre flat expanse beside the River Dee, on land that was once a Roman harbour before the river silted up and created the island‑like ground on which the course now stands. A small raised mound in the infield carries the stone cross that gave the Roodee its name, derived from 'Rood Eye', meaning 'Island of the Cross'.

The course's early history is tied to the banning of the violent Goteddsday football match in the 1530s, after which the mayor Henry Gee introduced annual horse racing, awarding silver bells to the winners — a tradition that helped give rise to the term “gee‑gees.” The May Meeting began in 1766, and the Tradesman's Cup, now the Chester Cup, soon followed, becoming one of the most prestigious staying handicaps in Britain.

Chester is also one of the smallest significant racecourses in the UK, just one mile and one furlong in circumference, with constant turning and a very short straight that strongly favours prominent, agile horses. Its tight, left‑handed layout creates a distinctive, intimate atmosphere, amplified by the city walls that overlook the finishing straight.

The racecourse has hosted a wide range of events beyond racing, from Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1903 to major civic gatherings, and it remains a central part of Chester’s cultural life. Today it stages popular fixtures including the May Festival and continues to blend its deep historical roots with a busy modern programme.

Winners at Chester (36)


Date Horse Race
Jockey
26Jul25
Halliwell Jones Handicap (Div II)
Joanna Mason
08May24
tote.co.uk Saddle-Up For More Than Racing Handicap
Joanna Mason
08Jul22
Elaine Williams Memorial Handicap
Joanna Mason
15Jun19
Liverpool Gin Handicap
Kieran O'Neill
28Jul18
MBNA Fillies' Handicap
Harrison Shaw
10Jul15
Abode Hotel Handicap (Lady Amateur Riders)
Miss Joanna Mason
13Jun15
Lamb's Navy Rum Handicap
George Chaloner
16Aug14
Stella Cidre Nursery
Ian Brennan
14Jul12
Pick A Patent At chesterBET Handicap
DM Simmonson
13Jul12
Irvings Solicitors Handicap
Paddy Aspell
10Jun08
Hoole Hall Handicap
Paul Mulrennan
19Aug04
Blue Square 0800 587 0200 Apprentice Handicap
Paul Mulrennan
28Aug03
Saffie Joseph & Sons Handicap
Kieren Fallon
01Sep01
Merseyside Handicap
Terry Lucas
01Sep01
Broadcasters Handicap
Sam Hitchcott
30Jun01
Halliwell Jones BMW Handicap
Dale Gibson
08May01
Walker Smith & Way Stakes (Handicap)
Jimmy Fortune
18Aug00
Kemiro Agro Handicap
Joe Fanning
22Sep99
Kathleen B. Corbett Memorial Stakes
John Carroll
02Jun99
Rabbit Catcher Handicap
Terry Lucas
23Sep98
49's Handicap Class D Showcase Race
J Lowe
22Aug98
Rowton Moor Handicap
Lindsay Charnock
07May98
Hill Dickinson Rated Stakes Handicap
Lindsay Charnock
24Sep97
Deva Nursery
Seb Sanders
30Aug97
Rowton Moor Handicap
Seb Sanders
30Aug96
Arthur O'Hare Apprentices' Handicap
C Lowther
09May89
Prince Of Wales Handicap
J Carter
10Jul87
Red Deer Handicap
Lindsay Charnock
07May87
Ladbroke 3yo Handicap
Lindsay Charnock
12Jul86
Eccleston Stakes
Terry Lucas
09May85
Ladbrokes Hotels 3yo Handicap Stakes
Mark Birch
29Jul80
Combemere 2yo Maiden Fillies Stakes
Terry Lucas
01Sep79
Ellis Barker Furs and Fashion Stakes Ladies Race
Margaret Bell
02Sep77
Mostyn Handicap
Colin Moss
30Aug71
Combermere Stakes
Johnny Seagrave
07May70
Sceptre 2yo Stakes
G Lewis
26 July 2025
Halliwell Jones Handicap (Div II)
Joanna Mason
08 May 2024
tote.co.uk Saddle-Up For More Than Racing Handicap
Joanna Mason
08 July 2022
Elaine Williams Memorial Handicap
Joanna Mason
15 June 2019
Liverpool Gin Handicap
Kieran O'Neill
28 July 2018
MBNA Fillies' Handicap
Harrison Shaw
10 July 2015
Abode Hotel Handicap (Lady Amateur Riders)
Miss Joanna Mason
13 June 2015
Lamb's Navy Rum Handicap
George Chaloner
16 August 2014
Stella Cidre Nursery
Ian Brennan
14 July 2012
Pick A Patent At chesterBET Handicap
DM Simmonson
13 July 2012
Irvings Solicitors Handicap
Paddy Aspell
10 June 2008
Hoole Hall Handicap
Paul Mulrennan
19 August 2004
Blue Square 0800 587 0200 Apprentice Handicap
Paul Mulrennan
28 August 2003
Saffie Joseph & Sons Handicap
Kieren Fallon
01 September 2001
Merseyside Handicap
Terry Lucas
01 September 2001
Broadcasters Handicap
Sam Hitchcott
30 June 2001
Halliwell Jones BMW Handicap
Dale Gibson
08 May 2001
Walker Smith & Way Stakes (Handicap)
Jimmy Fortune
18 August 2000
Kemiro Agro Handicap
Joe Fanning
22 September 1999
Kathleen B. Corbett Memorial Stakes
John Carroll
02 June 1999
Rabbit Catcher Handicap
Terry Lucas
23 September 1998
49's Handicap Class D Showcase Race
J Lowe
22 August 1998
Rowton Moor Handicap
Lindsay Charnock
07 May 1998
Hill Dickinson Rated Stakes Handicap
Lindsay Charnock
24 September 1997
Deva Nursery
Seb Sanders
30 August 1997
Rowton Moor Handicap
Seb Sanders
30 August 1996
Arthur O'Hare Apprentices' Handicap
C Lowther
09 May 1989
Prince Of Wales Handicap
J Carter
10 July 1987
Red Deer Handicap
Lindsay Charnock
07 May 1987
Ladbroke 3yo Handicap
Lindsay Charnock
12 July 1986
Eccleston Stakes
Terry Lucas
09 May 1985
Ladbrokes Hotels 3yo Handicap Stakes
Mark Birch
29 July 1980
Combemere 2yo Maiden Fillies Stakes
Terry Lucas
01 September 1979
Ellis Barker Furs and Fashion Stakes Ladies Race
Margaret Bell
02 September 1977
Mostyn Handicap
Colin Moss
30 August 1971
Combermere Stakes
Johnny Seagrave
07 May 1970
Sceptre 2yo Stakes
G Lewis