Chester Racecourse
Chester Racecourse, the oldest racecourse in Britain, is still revealing more of its history as archaeologists, sponsored by the Race Company, unearths more evidence of times past.
In Roman times, the racecourse lay underneath water as a tidal pool of the River Dee. Part of a sandstone Roman quay wall survives below the medieval city walls and wooden jetties and wharves on the site would have seen trading ships from across the Roman Empire bringing cargoes of wine, spices and pottery to Chester.
Chester was a major maritime port in the medieval period, and in the 13th century, Water Gate served as the main harbour. However, increased silting, combined with a falling sea level, led to the creation of the racecourse on land known as the Roodee - the name derived from 'rood' (the Saxon word for cross) and 'eye' (the Norman word for island). Roodee therefore means 'island of the cross' - part of a sandstone cross stands within the racecourse.
The racecourse has been the venue for many exciting events - in 1441, rival gaolers from the Castle and Northgate gathered here for a mass fist fight and horse racing was introduced to replace the Goteddsday (Shrove Tuesday) football match, which was banned in 1533 for being too violent.
The football matches were often held between neighbouring towns, different guilds, or to settle disputes. Unlimited numbers of players on each side battled to get possession of a leather ball. The racecourse was the perfect site for such large-scale encounters!
The first recorded race at the 'Roodee Fields' was held on February 9th 1539, in the reign of Henry the Eighth, with the consent of Chester's Lord Mayor, Henry Gee (whose surname gave rise to the 'gee-gees' nick name for racehorses). Until 1609, there was an annual race on Shrove Tuesday, thereafter the race was held on St George's Day (23 April). The Chester Goldsmith Company supplied a silver bell and in 1744 a gold cup was awarded annually by the Grosvenor family. In 1766, a May Festival was introduced, and in 1824, the Tradesmen's Cup Race (the predecessor of the Chester Cup) was also introduced.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
By Road
The M53, M56, M6 and A483 are all in close proximity to Chester providing excellent links from Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales and the south of England. The Racecourse is signed from all the major routes into Chester on racedays.
Car Parking
Car parking is on the Open Course and only for cars with a car pass.
Car passes can be purchased in advance from the ticket office or from pay lane booths on race days.
On Sunday Funday (1st August) only, car parking will be operated on a first come first served basis.
A car pass costs £7, with the exceptions of 26th June (£9) and August 1st (£10).
By Rail
The station is 20-30 minutes walk from the Racecourse through the picturesque Chester city centre.
EVENTS:
Totesport Summer Festival
Home › Racing › Fixtures › totesport Summer Festival
21 August 2010
Enjoy more competitive racing with the listed Chester Stakes and the big Heritage Handicap Stakes on the first of the three final Saturday race days. If you haven't already been to the races this year, now's your chance. If you have, you'll know what a great day out you're in for! The fashion stakes are high, the racing thrilling and the atmosphere electric. The holiday season may be over but racing at Chester isn't!