Chester Racecourse History | ||||
Although unofficial races were held before 1511, it was in 1539 that the Mayor of Chester, Henry Gee, gave permission for races to be held in the city on Thursday 9th February 1539, and he will forever be remembered when people talk about 'going to the gee gee's'. Chester’s Roodee course is by far the oldest in England, with one of the earliest recorded meetings taking place on Shrove Tuesday while Henry VIII was still on the throne. The course was, at that time, known as the Roode Eye and a special silver bell, costing 3s.4d, was given as a prize to the winner of the race. A feature of Chester races, even to this day, is that racegoers and horses walk to the racecourse through the city. In 1610 the former Sheriff of Chester, Robert Amory, established the St George’s Bells race, with 3 bells of differing values given as prizes. The race passed through the New Tower and up Watergate, a route followed by many horses and punters today. A new law was passed in 1740, during the reign of George II, which decreed that horse races could not be run for less than £50. This meant that smaller courses could not compete, but also forced Chester to increase the prize for the Corporation Plate (later to be called the City Plate) to £50. In 1813 the inaugural running of the Dee Stakes was won by Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, with result shown below, while in 1824 the Chester Cup, known in its earliest days as the Tradesman’s Cup, was contested for the first time when won by the 6 year old Doge of Venice carrying top weight. His owner, Sir Thomas Stanley, was triumphant again in 1827 with Grenadier. The Chester Vase was first contested in 1907 and resulted in a dead heat. It is now used as a classic trial because Chester’s left handed turns mirror those experienced at Epsom. Currently Chester offers 15 magnificent fixtures annually. With grateful thanks to Tony Jones (Chester) for providing the scan of this rare ticket. With grateful thanks to Gerald Tinsley for the share certificate. Badge issued by the Ludlow Club & Chester Race Course Company |
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1824 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Doge of Venice owned by Sir T Stanley 1825 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Hymettus owned by Lord Grosvenor 1826 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Brutandorf owned by Mr Clifton 1827 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Grenadier owned by Sir T Stanley 1828 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Fylde owned by Mr Clifton 1829 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Halston owned by Mr Mytton 1830 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Felt owned by Lord Derby 1831 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Independence owned by Mr Beardsworth 1832 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Colwick owned by Mr Beardsworth 1833 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Pickpocket owned by Sir R Bulkeley |
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1834 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by The Cardinal owned by Mr Miles 1835 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Birdlime owned by Mr Mostyn 1836 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Tamworth owned by Mr Peel 1837 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by General Chasse owned by Sir J Boswell 1838 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by King Cole owned by Mr T Walters 1839 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Cardinal Puff owned by Lord Westminster 1840 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Dey of Algiers owned by Colonel Peel 1841 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Cruiskeen owned by Lord Milltown 1842 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Alice Hawthorn owned by Mr Plummer 1843 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Millipede owned by Mr Wormald |
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1844 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Red Deer owned by Duke of Richmond 1845 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Intrepid owned by Mr Skerratt 1846 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Coranna owned by Mr G H Moore 1847 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by St Lawrence owned by Mr Drinkald |
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Chester continues to thrive today, whereas nearby Tarporley closed its gates for the final time in 1939. | ||||
Tarporley Racecourse first witnessed racing on Tuesday 5th November 1776 when administered by the Tarporley Hunt Club which itself had been founded in 1762. The highlight of each card was the Tarporley Hunt Cup which went to the Earl of Stamford on Tuesday 5th November 1782 with his mare Diana. This early period of racing is known to have taken place at Crabtree Green, near Delamere, on land owned by George Wilbrahim and lasted until 1783. It was re-established 6 years later, while a Silver Cup race was introduced in 1805. Almost exactly 39 years after the first meeting was staged the last took place at Crabtree Green in November 1815. The meeting transferred to Billington Training Ground for the two year period 1816 to 1817. Racing continued, on and off, at a number of venues in the area, notably Oulton, Cotebrook and Saighton Farm from 1875 to 1876. By 1877 the Tarporley Hunt Steeplechases were established on the Arderne Estate and continued to be well supported annually. In 1930 a tote was introduced at the course, and such was the appeal of the racecourse that in 1937 a grandstand was built. When a meeting took place on Wednesday 26th April 1939 little was it known that it would be the last to be held. The course was taken over by the MOD during World War 2 and a prisoner of war camp erected. |
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1848 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Peep-O-Day Boy owned by Lord Howth 1849 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Malton owned by Mr H Stebbing 1850 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Mounseer owned by Hon. Major Pitt 1851 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Nancy owned by Mr T Lister 1852 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Joe Miller owned by Mr Parker 1853 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Goldfinger owned by Mr Palmer 1854 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Epaminondas owned by Captain Lane 1855 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Scythian owned by Mr Howard 1856 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by One Act owned by Mr Parker 1857 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Leamington owned by Mr F Higgins |
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1858 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Vanity owned by Sir C Monck 1859 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Leamington owned by Mr F Higgins 1860 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by St Albans owned by Lord Aylesbury 1861 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Ben Webster owned by Mr Barder 1862 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Tim Wiffler owned by Mr Jackson 1863 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Asteroid owned by Sir J Hawley 1864 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Flash in the Pan owned by Mr Hughes 1865 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Dalby owned by Mr W G Bennett 1866 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Dalby owned by Mr W G Bennett 1867 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Beeswing owned by Mr A Heathcote |
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1868 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Paul Jones owned by Mr G Hodgman 1869 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Knight of the Garter owned by Lord Calthorpe 1870 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Our Mary Ann owned by Mr T Hughes 1871 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Glenlivat owned by Mr W H Scott |
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The very rare badge opposite is shown courtesy of Nick Redman and was worn by a Police Officer at each Chester meeting held in 1912. The meeting on Thursday 9th May 1912 marked the centenary of the Dee Stakes (£500) over 1 ½ miles. The famous Ormonde Stakes, contested on the same day, was won by the Duke of Portland’s Amerongen, beating fillies by Isinglass and Soliman. |
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I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below. | ||||
1872 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Inveresk owned by Mr W Nicholl 1873 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Field Marshall owned by Mr Bowes 1874 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Organist owned by Mr R C Vyner 1875 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Freeman owned by Mr Heneage 1876 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Tam O’Shanter owned by Mr Johnstone 1877 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Pageant owned by Mr F Gretton 1878 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Pageant owned by Mr F Gretton 1879 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Reefer owned by Lord Dupplin 1880 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Fashion owned by Mr L de Rothschild 1881 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Windsor owned by Sir J Astley |
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1882 Tradesmen’s Cup was won by Proudhomme owned by Lord Rosebery |
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With very grateful thanks to Barry Sutton for the superb, very rare scans Chester racecards from 1919 and 1920 when the Chester Cups were won by Tom Pepper and Our Stephen. | ||||
1893 Chester Cup, Dare Devil ridden by J Fagan 1894 Chester Cup, Quaesitum ridden by T Loates 1895 Chester Cup, Kilsallaghan ridden by F Finlay 1896 Chester Cup, The Rush ridden by Otto Madden 1897 Chester Cup, Count Schomberg ridden by Sam Loates 1898 Chester Cup, Up Guards ridden by S.Chandley 1899 Chester Cup, Uncle Mac ridden by F Finlay 1900 Chester Cup, Roughside ridden by J.F.Sloan 1901 Chester Cup, David Garrick ridden by L Reiff 1902 Chester Cup, Carabine ridden by M Aylin |
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1903 Chester Cup, Vendale ridden by C.Trigg 1904 Chester Cup, Sandboy ridden by Walter Grigg 1905 Chester Cup, Imari ridden by Walter Saxby 1906 Chester Cup, Feather Bed ridden by A.Templeman 1907 Chester Cup, Querido ridden by J.Reiff. The Vase was a dead heat between Sancy, ridden by Otto Madden, and Earlston ridden by C Heckford. 1908 Chester Cup, Glacis ridden by F Wooton. The Vase was won by Galavani ridden by B Dillon 1909 Chester Cup, Santo Strato ridden by Otton Madden. The Vase was won by St Ninian ridden by H Watts. 1910 Chester Cup won by Elizabetta ridden by S.Wootton; the Vase was won by Bayardo ridden by D.Maher 1911 Chester Cup won by Willonyx ridden by Walter Higgs; the Vase was won by Maaz ridden by E.Piper |
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1912 Chester Cup, Rathlea ridden by C Foy. The Vase was won by Lycaeon ridden by F Wooton. 1913 Chester Cup, The Guller ridden by J Lesdon. The Vase was won by Cylba ridden by D Maher. 1914 Chester Cup won by Aleppo ridden by C.Foy; the Vase was won by Dan Russel ridden by F.Bullock 1915 Chester Cup won by Hare Hill ridden by Steve Donoghue; the Vase was won by Esplandian ridden by C.Dickens 1919 Chester Cup, Tom Pepper ridden by J Shatwell. The Vase was won by Air Raid ridden by J Childs. 1920 Chester Cup won by Our Stephen ridden by A Balding. The Vase was won by Buchan ridden by F Bullock. 1922 Chester Cup, Chivalrous ridden by G Smith. The Vase was won by Fodder ridden by J Shatwell. 1923 Chester Cup, Chivalrous ridden by M.Beary and trained by H.Cottrill. The Vase was won by Papyrus ridden by Steve Donoghue and trained by B.Jarvis |
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1924 Chester Cup, Rugeley ridden by H Leach. The Vase was won by Inkerman ridden by F Bullock. 1925 Chester Cup, Spithead ridden by Tommy Weston. The Vase was won by Vermillion Pencil ridden by Tommy Weston. 1926 Chester Cup, Hidennis ridden by J Caldwell. The Vase was won by Swift and Sure ridden by R A Jones. 1927 Chester Cup, Dark Japan ridden by Charlie Smirke. The Vase was won by Lone Knight ridden by A Burns. |
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With grateful thanks to Barry Sutton for the majority of the badges shown on this page. | ||||
1947 Races | 1948 Races | 1949 Races | 1949 Races | 1950 Races |
I am grateful to David Copland for the photo of the magnificent 1952 Chester Cup shown below. | ||||
1928 Chester Cup was won by St Mary's Kirk ridden by W Alford. The Vase was won by Hectare ridden by H Graves. |
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1946 Chester Cup, Retsel ridden by C Richards. The Vase was won by Sky High ridden by T Weston. |
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1951 Races | 1952 Ladies | 1952 Gents | 1953 Ladies | 1953 Gents |
1952 Chester Cup, Le Tellier ridden by G.Littlewood. The Vase was won by Summer Rain ridden by E.Mercer |
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1954 Gents | 1954 Ladies | 1955 Ladies | 1955 Gents | 1956 Ladies |
1955 Chester Cup, Prescription ridden by Bill Rickaby. The Vase was won by Daemon ridden by J.Wilson |
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1956 Gents | 1957 Ladies | 1957 Gents | 1958 Races | 1959 Races |
1957 Chester Cup, Curry ridden by Josh Gifford. The Vase was won by King Babur ridden by P.Robinson |
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1960 Races | 1961 Races | 1962 Races | 1963 Races | 1964 Races |
1961 Chester Cup, Hoy ridden by Geoff Lewis. The Vase was won by Sovrango ridden by Joe Mercer |
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1965 Races | 1966 Races | 1967 Races | 1968 Races | 1969 Races |
1966 Chester Cup, Aegean Blue ridden by Lester Piggott. The Vase was won by General Gordon ridden by Paul Cook |
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1970 Races | 1971 Races | 1972 Races | 1973 Races | 1974 Races |
1971 Chester Cup, Random Shot ridden by Frankie Durr. The Vase was won by Linden Tree ridden by Duncan Keith |
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1975 Races | 1976 Races | 1977 Races | 1978 Races | 1979 Races |
1976 Chester Cup, John Cherry ridden by Lester Piggott. The Vase was won by Old Bill ridden by Brian Taylor |
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I am grateful to David Copland for the photo of the magnificent Chester Vase trophy, shown above. won by Henbit in 1980. | ||||
1980 Races | 1980 County | 1981 County | 1981 Races | 1982 County |
1981 Chester Cup, Donegal Prince ridden by P.Young. The Vase was won by Shergar ridden by W.R.Swinburn |
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1982 Races | 1983 Races | 1983 County | 1984 Races | 1984 County |
1983 May meeting is wiped out because of the flooding of the River Dee |
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1985 Races | 1985 County | 1986 Races | 1986 County | 1987 Races |
1986 Chester Cup, Western Dancer ridden by Paul Cook. The Vase was won by Nomrood ridden by Terry Quinn |
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1987 County | 1988 Races | 1988 County | 1989 Races | 1989 County |
1988 Chester Cup, Old Hubert ridden by M.L.Thomas. The Vase was won by Unfuwain ridden by Willie Carson |
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1990 Races | 1990 County | 1991 Races | 1991 County | 1992 Races |
1991 Chester Cup, Star Player ridden by Frankie Dettori. The Vase was won by Toulon ridden by Pat Eddery |
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1992 County | 1993 Races | 1993 County | 1994 Races | 1994 County |
1993 Chester Cup, Rodeo Star ridden by Nicky Carlisle. The Vase was won by Armiger ridden by Pat Eddery |
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1995 County | 1995 Races | 1996 County | 1996 Races | 1997 County |
1996 Chester Cup, Merit ridden by John Quinn. The Vase was won by High Baroque ridden by John Reid |
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1997 Races | 1998 County | 1998 Races | 1999 County | 1999 Races |
1998 Chester Cup, Silence in Court ridden by Alan Mackay. The Vase was won by Gulland ridden by Michael Hills |
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2000 County | 2000 Races | 2001 County | 2001 Races | 2002 Official |
2001 Chester Cup, Rainbow High ridden by Richard Hughes. The Vase was won by Mr Combustible ridden by Michael Hills |
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2002 Races | 2002 County | 2003 Races | 2003 County | 2003 Official |
2003 Chester Cup, Hugs Dancer ridden by D.McKeown. The Vase was won by Dutch Gold ridden by Lanfranco Dettori |
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2004 Races | 2004 Official | 2004 County | 2005 Races | 2005 County |
2005 Chester Cup, Anak Pekan ridden by Peter Robinson. The Vase was won by Hatan ridden by Seb Sanders |
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2006 Races | 2006 County | 2006 Official | 2007 County | 2007 Official |
2007 Chester Cup, Greenwich Meantime ridden by Paul Hanagan. The Vase was won by Soldier of Fortune ridden by Mick Kinane |
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2007 Races | 2008 County | 2008 Official | 2008 Races | 2009 County |
2008 Chester Cup, Bulwark ridden by Jim Crowley. The Vase was won by Doctor Freemantle ridden by Ryan Moore |
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2009 Official | 2009 Races | 2010 County | 2010 Races | 2010 Official |
2010 Chester Cup, Mamlook ridden by Richard Hughes. The Vase was won by Ted Spread ridden by Darryll Holland |
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2011 County | 2011 Races | 2011 Official | 2012 County | 2012 Official |
2012 Chester Cup, Ile de Re ridden by Jim Crowley. The Vase was won by Mickdaam ridden by Tony Hamilton |
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2012 Races | 2013 County | 2013 Races | 2014 County | 2014 Races |
2013 Chester Cup, Address Unknown ridden by Jamie Spencer. The Vase was won by Ruler of the World ridden by Ryan Moore |
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2015 Races | 2015 County | 2016 Races | 2016 County | 2016 Official |
2016 Chester Cup, No Heretic ridden by Jamie Spencer. The Vase was won by US Army Ranger ridden by Ryan Moore |
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2017 County | 2017 Races | 2018 County | 2018 Races | 2018 Official |
2018 Chester Cup, Magic Circle (8/1) ridden by Fran Berry. The Vase was won by Young Rascal ridden by James Doyle |
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2018 The Roof | 2019 County | 2019 Races | 2019 Official | 2019 Roof |
2020 Chester Cup and Vase were not run due to Covid-19 |
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2020 Races | 2020 County | 2020 Roof | 2021 Races | 2021 County |
2021 Roof | 2021 Official | 2022 Races | 2022 County | 2022 Roof |
2022 Official | 2023 Races | 2023 County | 2023 Roof | 2023 Official |
The rare handbill shown below is provided courtesy of the Robert Shaw collection. |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3 652 pages 774 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0 352 pages 400 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7 180 pages 140 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4 264 pages 235 former courses |
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Copies of the above books are only available by emailing johnwslusar@gmail.com stating your requirements, method of payment (cheque payable to W.Slusar) or Bank transfer, and the address where the book(s) should be sent. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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