May Festival Celebrations at Chester Racecourse
Today, the May Festival celebrations will kick off at the Chester Racecourse. The first race was run here in 1539, and its racing traditions and splendor have lasted more than four hundred and fifty years. For three days, the May Festival will thrill, entertain and bring racing enthusiasts together to witness some of the best racing that the Chester Racecourse has to offer. With excellent facilities and beautiful grounds, the course transforms itself from the 7th to the 9th of May each year into a racing and fashion extravaganza.
Thousands of spectators are set to cram into the racecourse today, to be a part of the Chester Cup, which is run over around the tight Chester Racecourse track and has always been one of the favorite events of the May Festival. The Cheshire Oaks is also being run today, and is seen as a trial race for the Epsom Oaks. Tomorrow is the much anticipated Ladies Day, where not only the best Group 3 racing takes place in the form of the Chester Vase and the Huxley Stakes, but the ladies grace the racecourse in the most fashionable and uniquely designed outfits. On Friday, the last day of the May Festival, spectators will gather to enjoy Blue Square City Day, which hosts races such as the Dee Stakes and the Ormonde Stakes.
A few pleasant changes have also been made to Chester Racecourse, of which one is the new pavilion that has been constructed just behind the weighing room, where trainers and horse owners can enjoy a peaceful lunch. Other facilities at the racecourse include the spectacular 1539 Restaurant, availability of private boxes, ample parking, betting facilities, festival chalets and parade ring marquees.
Chester Racecourse is a well manicured track with convenient facilities, good racing and is located in a breathtaking city. It is everything and more than any horse racing enthusiast could ask for. And with its horse racing traditions steeped in history, every year the May Festival is supported by spectators who not only enjoy racing but want be a part of the heritage and legacy that will be left behind for future generations to look back on.
