With Chester welcoming in the spring, racing fans from the city and beyond will be turning their attention to the Boodles May Festival. Renowned as Chester Racecourse’s most esteemed race meeting, the three-day event takes place at the start of May each year to launch the remainder of the racing season.
The festival includes three consecutive race meets, Trials Day followed by Ladies Day, and finally Chester Cup Day and each has its own individual character. For example, Trials Day includes the annual Chester Vase race, which acts as a trial for the world-famous Epsom Derby, while Ladies Day is an iconic event where racegoers show off the latest styles and fashions with impressive outfits.
However, for the 2024 edition of the Boodles May Festival, it is likely that Chester Cup Day will steal the show. The final day of the festival is always a firm favourite with hardcore racing fans and often uncovers the leading jockeys and horses who are starred for success.
Previous champion jockeys, for example, have included Oisin Murphy in 2017, Frankie Dettori in 2021, Ryan Moore in 2022 and Saffie Osbourne in 2023. This year, the festivities will be especially epic as the racecourse will be paying tribute to two hundred years of the prestigious Chester Cup.
Trials Day will take place on Wednesday, May 8 followed by Ladies Day on Thursday, May 9. Chester Cup Day closes the event on Friday, May 10. Chester Racecourse can be found on New Crane Street in Chester.
