Chester May Festival Hospitality

Chester May Festival Hospitality Packages for City Day, Ladies Day and Chester Cup Day 2026

Eventmasters are delighted to offer official Chester Racecourse hospitality for one of the biggest meetings in the flat racing calendar, the Chester May Festival.

The Boodles May Festival, which celebrates its 107th renewal in 2026, takes place over three days and regularly attracts the very best trainers, jockeys and horses to Chester Racecourse.

Boodles May Festival City Day 2026

The horse racing action kicks off on City Day, a superb fixture that includes some standout races, such as the Boodles Chester Vase Stakes. The race will see jockeys, trainers, and their horses put their credentials to the test in front of a packed crowd in what promises to be an enthralling race in May 2026.

The most recent running of the Chester Vase Stakes in 2025 saw Ryan Moore ride pre-race favourite Lambourn to a memorable victory ahead of the likes of runner-up Lazy Griff and Sam James’ Convergent, who came in third place.

Boodles May Festival Ladies Day 2026

Day two of the Chester May Festival, widely known as Ladies’ Day, is one of the real highlights of the social and sporting calendar. The Roodee attracts the finest in fashion and style for an afternoon of world-class flat racing action, not to mention the Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes, which boasts prize money of £100,000 – a must-see race for any racing enthusiast.

The Ormonde Stakes are one of the standout races at Chester Racecourse on the second day of the Chester May Festival. The most recent renewal of the race in 2025 saw the pre-race favourite, Illinois come away victorious after jockey Ryan Moore managed to fend off stern competition from the likes of Al Qareem and Absurde, who had to settle for a second and third place finish in the end.

Boodles May Festival Chester Cup Day 2026

The Chester Cup takes centre stage on the final day of the Chester May Festival. It’s one of the most historic handicap races of the season, having first been established in 1824 and has been a major race ever since. Run over a distance of two miles and two furlongs, it requires great stamina, speed and tactical nous to win the race on the tight turning track at Chester.

One of the most thrilling Chester Cup races in recent memory was the 2016 fixture. Jumps trainer Nicky Henderson claimed his first Chester Cup victory after No Heretic got up on the line to deny Nakeeta in a photo-finish.

The most recent running of the highly coveted Chester Cup at the Chester May Festival took place in 2025, and it was won by the pre-race favourite East India Dock, who, ridden by Jockey Harry Davies, won the race ahead of Caballo De Mar and 2024 winner Zoffee in third. It was a second win in a row for Davies.

The 2026 Chester May Festival promises to be another classic meeting, don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this magical event by booking your place in our course-facing hospitality facility, Silks.

Chester May Festival Sample Menu

Chester May Festival Dress Code 2026

A day at the races provides racegoers with the perfect excuse to up the style stakes and dress to impress!

With celebrities and royalty alike attending Chester May Festival, why not dress in your finery and enjoy all that this historic city has to offer?

Hospitality Dress Code

Race times & Gate opening times are currently to be confirmed. Our gates will open approximately 2 hours before the first race.

Our bars will close half an hour after the last race, and gates will close a further half an hour after.

Gentlemen are required to wear a well-tailored suit or blazer with smart trousers, together with a collared shirt and tie.

Ladies are required to wear smart dress.

No denim jeans of any colour, no trainers, no shorts, no sportswear and no fancy dress will be permitted.

Please ensure you advise your guests.

Chester May Festival Sample Menu & Itinerary

Take a look at our sample menu and itinerary to help you plan your day at the Boodles May Festival.

Boodles May Festival FAQs

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