Overview
- ⏱️3 daysApproximate duration
- 🏟️Medium sizedVenue capacity is 21,000
The Boodles May Festival at Chester Racecourse is an annual 3-day meeting at the start of the UK flat racing season. As the first meeting of the year at the oldest racecourse still in operation, this event showcases the finest thoroughbreds in an historic setting.
In 500 years, the tight track of the affectionately named ‘Roodee’ has changed very little but fabulous new bars and hospitality areas have grown around it, making it a fantastic course to enjoy the races. For competitors, the May Festival is the ideal step towards glory at Epsom and is considered a prep-course for the Derby and the Oaks, so expect to see some big names in racing from horse to owner.
The 3 days include City Day celebrating the venue’s heritage; Ladies Day where the day’s female racegoers dress to impress in the style awards with the backdrop of a full day of racing; and Tote Chester Cup Day featuring the most valuable race in Chester’s fixture calendar.
Boodles May Festival Tickets
There are several enclosures to choose from at Chester Racecourse, along with a number of restaurant packages and private hospitality options which can be pre-booked. Enclosures have varying dress code restrictions, access levels, and ticket price brackets. Racegoers purchase a ticket for a full day of racing with access to one of the following:
- Winning Post – an ‘adults only’ enclosure offering partially covered informal seating close to the Parade Ring and the track with its own betting facilities and bars
- County Long Room – offers racegoers entry to the County Long Room Bar, the Walls Bar, covered seating within the County Stand, and exclusive access to the County Champagne Bar within the Paddock area
- County Concourse – overlooking the final furlong and the finishing post, this premium enclosure is at the heart of the course with access to the Paddock and Parade Ring viewing
- Tattersalls Enclosure – access to both sides of the track with excellent viewing of the final stages of every race as well as access to Paddock facilities
- Roodee - includes access to the Dee Stand which is a tiered, uncovered terrace with ground floor standing and access to food concessions, bars, and betting facilities within Dee Stand and the Open Course (centre of the track) enclosure
Subject to availability, upgrades on the day are available.
