chester racecourse

Chester Racecourse Hospitality

Chester Racing Hospitality Options 2024

Eventmasters are delighted to offer Chester May Festival hospitality packages for 2024 as an Official Hospitality Supplier (OHS) appointed directly by Chester Racecourse for more than 15 years.

The Boodles May Festival is one of flat racing’s most popular events, where style, fashion and exhilarating action go hand in hand. Entertain your important clients and guests at one of the UK’s best racecourses with our Chester May Festival hospitality packages – elevate your race day experience from within our premium course-facing Trackside Pavilion hospitality facility, which provides stunning views of the final furlong.


Hospitality Packages at Chester Racecourse

Chester Racecourse is steeped in history, known for its turbulent past, and justifiable reputation for great hospitality.

According to official records, Chester is the oldest racecourse still in use in England, with horse racing at the infamous racecourse dating back to the early sixteenth century. It is also thought to be the smallest racecourse of significance in England at 1 mile and 1 furlong long.

The 65-acre venue lies on the banks of the River Dee. The site was once a harbour during the Roman settlement but was closed as the river silted up and made navigation impossible.

Towards the centre of the in-field is a raised mound which is decorated by a small cross known as a “rood”. It is from this that Chester Racecourse derives its nickname as an expression of “Rood Eye”, meaning “The Island of the Cross”.

Chester Racecourse site was also home to the Goteddsday football match, before being converted into a venue to host horse racing.

The first recorded horse race at Chester Racecourse was held on February 8 1539, with the consent of then-mayor Henry Gee, whose name led to the use of the term “gee-gee” for horses.

Races originally took place on Goteddsday (Shrove Tuesday) until 1609, and thereafter on St George’s Day. Victors were awarded the “Chester Bells”, for decorating the horse’s bridle, and from 1744 the “Grosvenor Gold Cup” – a small tumbler made from solid gold.

For decades, Chester Racecourse was just an open field. The first Grandstand wasn’t built until 1817, while admittance fees didn’t come into effect until 1897. The Grandstand was rebuilt between 1899-1900 and then fully replaced in 1985 after incurring damage from a fire.

The Racecourse’s position in the city makes meetings at Chester very popular as it is only a short stroll to all the hotels, bars, shopping and restaurants.

The east side of the Chester Racecourse abuts directly onto the ancient city walls from where spectators can watch the horse racing action for free, enjoying panoramic views of the whole circuit.

Chester Races: A Three Day Event

The three days of the event; Chester City Day, Chester Ladies Day, and Chester Cup Day all feature high-quality racing with premium hospitality inside the Premier Course Facing Pavilions certainly matching the action on the track.

Chester Racecourse hospitality facilities are excellent and include the popular Silks Restaurant, which is an established favourite for the Chester May Festival. Silks is located in the Trackside Pavilion and boasts a private garden area along the running rails with excellent views of the final furlong.

With the Racecourse, just a two-minute walk from the centre of Chester, guests attending the races can stay in city-centre accommodation or the venue’s own hotel, the Holiday Inn Express Chester Racecourse.

Chester Race Company Ltd is responsible for both Chester and Bangor-on Dee courses along with all catering and conferencing facilities on site.

Why opt for Chester Racecourse Hospitality this May?

The facilities at this beautiful racecourse boast top-level chefs, delectable menu offerings, all-inclusive bars, unrivalled service, and a breathtaking atmosphere that every horseracing fan dreams of.

Our Chester Racecourse hospitality package provides the perfect setting to celebrate an important occasion, entertain clients or employees, or simply have an excellent day full of fun with family & friends.

The Chester May Festival marks the beginning of the racing calendar for the fabulous Chester Racecourse. Be part of the atmosphere, as the racing season truly kicks off with a bang.


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Register for our Chester Racecourse Hospitality – Priority Alerts:

Chester May Festival

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