Chester Racecourse’s May Festival Weekend sees the start of Chester’s thirteen day horseracing season.
The May Festival brings excitement and glamour to the Chester Racecourse with the promise of all that the summer months will hold for racers and visitors alike.
The May Festival starts the Chester horseracing season with totesport Cup Day and the famous Lily Agnes Stakes and the Chester Cup later in the day.
Thursday plays host to Boodles Ladies Day when the fashion stakes certainly rise whilst visitors gather to watch the Epsom Derby trial race – the Chester Vase.
The Chester Vase has been held at Chester Racecourse since 1907 and is recognised across the racing community as one of two races held at The Roodee to be one of nine Epsom Derby trial races in the UK. Shergar famously won the Chester Vase in 1981 with Chester Cup’s biggest ever lead of twelve lengths and then went on to conquer the Epsom Derby
Friday is Boodles City Day with the race of the day being the Adleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes at 2.15pm.
The Dee Stakes, named in honour of the River Dee, is the second of the Chester races considered to be a trial for the Epsom Derby.
Opening Times and Admission Prices
Gates open at 11am on all three days of the Chester May Festival event with the first races of the day being run at 1.45pm and the last races between 4.35pm and 5.10pm.
Prices vary at Chester Racecourse depending on which area you wish to attend.
Range from £7 for Open Course up to £42 for the County Stand with other options in between for you to choose from.
Chester Racecourse Online Ticket Office
If you want to make the most of Chester this weekend why not visit the Pat Collins Chester Fun Fair