What to expect at Chester’s biggest event of the year as the Boodles May Festival returns

One of Chester’s biggest social and sporting events of the year is set to return next month as the Boodles May Festival gets underway at Chester Racecourse from Wednesday 6 May to Friday 8 May, bringing world-class racing, fashion, and city-wide celebrations to the heart of Chester.

The three-day Festival is expected to attract tens of thousands of racegoers and visitors to the city and follows a landmark 2025 meeting which further strengthened Chester’s reputation as one of the most important stops on the road to racing’s biggest prizes.

Last year saw two Chester winners go on to make history. Minnie Hauk, winner of the Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks, went on to claim victory in the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks, while Lambourn, winner of the Boodles Chester Vase, followed up by winning the Epsom Derby. It marked the first time in Chester’s history that winners of both races went on to win at Epsom in the same year.

The Festival’s key trial races return this year, including the Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks, Boodles Chester Vase and Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes, with all three races last year won by champion jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien, who continue to show strong support for the Festival and are expected to be among the leading names once again.

The centrepiece of the week, the Ladbrokes Chester Cup, takes place on Friday 8 May and remains one of the most prestigious races in the British flat racing calendar. In a major build-up moment, the official draw for the race will take place live at the racecourse on Wednesday 6 May and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Jockey Harry Davies will be aiming for a third consecutive Chester Cup victory after winning aboard East India Dock last year and Zoffee in 2024.

This year’s Festival will also introduce an exciting new international dimension through Chester’s partnership with the New York Racing Association. The winner of the Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes will earn a place in the Belmont Gold Cup in New York, which also serves as a qualifying race for the Melbourne Cup, while the winner of the Deepbridge Huxley Stakes will secure entry into the $1 million Manhattan Stakes — creating the possibility of a remarkable route from Chester to New York and even Melbourne.

Off the track, Ladies Day on Thursday remains one of the most anticipated social occasions in Chester’s calendar, with the Best Dressed Competition returning in partnership with Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. Taking place in the Paddock, judges will be looking for racegoers who showcase elegance, individuality and occasion dressing, with prizes including a necklace from Boodles, shopping vouchers for Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, holiday vouchers from American Holidays, betting vouchers from Ladbrokes and more.

The Festival will officially begin with a celebratory parade through Chester city centre on Trials Day. Starting from the Boodles store at midday, the parade will travel through the city centre before arriving at Chester Racecourse, with the prestigious Chester Cup trophy being paraded as part of the celebrations to mark the official start of the racing season.

Alongside the action on the track, racegoers can also expect premium food and drink experiences that have become synonymous with the Festival. The popular Champagne Bar returns with complimentary caviar and oyster tastings, while hospitality packages have already sold out. County Concourse is now sold out for Ladies Day, with only limited tickets remaining for Ladies Day and Chester Cup Day.

The Boodles May Festival is one of the most prestigious events in Chester’s calendar and a real highlight for the city. It’s a week where world-class racing meets fashion and hospitality, creating a real occasion that attracts visitors from across the UK and beyond.

This year’s Festival feels particularly special with our race programme continuing to produce horses that go on to compete on the biggest stages, alongside new international opportunities through our partnership with the New York Racing Association. We’d also encourage people to come into the city on the Wednesday to be part of the Ladbrokes Chester Cup parade, which is a fantastic way to mark the start of the Festival. Seeing the Cup travel through the streets of Chester and arrive at the racecourse really builds the anticipation for the days ahead and is a great moment for everyone to get involved in.

We're delighted to be returning to Chester for one of the most iconic festivals in the Flat calendar.

Last year boasted plenty of drama on the track and glamour in the stands and we're expecting even more of the same over the next few days. Ladbrokes and Chester back together again... That's Ladisfaction!

For tickets and more information, visit www.chester-races.com.