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CHESTER RACECOURSE.
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
During the Roman occupation of Britain, most of the modern sixty five acre site of Chester racecourse was not even dry land. In fact, it was an important harbour on the river Dee, which supplied the roman garrison of Deva.
Over time, silt produced an island in the river, and a stone cross was built on the island. The current name for the racecourse of, The Roodee, is a mixture of the Norse and Saxon languages, and means The Island of the Cross.
By the early middle ages, the construction of a weir system on the river, caused much larger quantities of silt to be deposited, and the original roodee was converted into a riverside meadow.
Chester has three major footnotes in modern era horse racing history. The first recorded prize, in the form of a hand painted wooden bowl, was presented to the winner of a horse race at a Chester fair in 1512.
The second footnote revolves around Henry Gee, who became mayor of Chester in 1539. One of the many reforms Gee introduced, was an annual horse race meeting on the Roodee. The original prize of a silver bell was presented to the winning owner of, The horse that ran before all others’. The start date of this event makes Chester racecourse the oldest continuous site of horse racing in the United Kingdom.
Finally, due to his involvement, and love of horse racing, Henry Gee’s name became synonymous with race horses, as today they are still often called, gee gees.
By 1817, the vast crowds attracted to the annual Chester races, made it economically viable to build the first grandstand. This proved to be an unqualified success, as the tight nature of the track enabled race goers to watch and enjoy every facet of the racing action.
During the nineteenth century, Chester races attracted: The most perfect mix of society from all over the British isles. This is a proud tradition it continues up to the present day.
In recent years, Chester has extended its racing programme, and in 2008, the racecourse will stage fourteen days of competitive and quality racing. The prime event being the three day festival meeting in early May.
Placepot, Dual Forecast, and Super7, are all online when you sign up with The Chester Goldcup Sponsors:
Track facts:
Chester only stages flat racing.
Chester possesses one of the tightest tracks in the United Kingdom. Run left handed, the course has no undulations, and is fairly symmetrical. It is just over a mile in circumference, with home and back straights both approximately two and a quarter furlongs in length. It also has continuous tight bends at either end.
Beyond the winning post, at the bottom end of the short home straight, there is a spur to the racecourse. Races of just over seven and a half furlongs, and just under two miles, both start from this location.
At the top end of the home straight, the outside running rails of the track have been squared off. This has created the room for the starting stalls to be used for one mile two furlong races, and more importantly, for the large field, which regularly enters the two mile two furlong Chester Gold Cup.
The extremely tight nature of the track means horses have to be well balanced, with the acceleration to take advantage of gaps as they appear. In sprint races, a low draw is a major advantage, as early leaders often Make All. Sometimes, to make racing more competitive, a false running rail is used at the entrance to the home straight. The inside rail then bends inwards, and allows room for horses to find important gaps.
Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse.
Due to Chesters compact nature, grandstand race goers can easily observe every stage of the racing action.
Chester has three different grandstand enclosures, plus a course enclosure. Each enclosure has its own food and drink facilities.
County Ticket.
These tickets allow holders to use most of the facilities of the racecourse, but initial access to the racecourse must first be made through a County stand entrance.
Located opposite the winning post, the County Grandstand provides superb covered viewing of all the racing action. Ticket holders also have access to all the public areas of the racecourse.
The County Grandstand Concourse is located on the ground floor. It houses a large bar, plus the dining facilities of the Turf Restaurant. To maintain an intimate atmosphere, this restaurant imposes a maximum limit of eight people in each party. This makes the facility very popular, and it has to be booked well in advance.
For ticket holders who like to keep on the move, the Long Room, on the first floor of the grandstand, provides snacks and bar facilities.
A subway links the County Enclosure to the in field paddock area. Apart from the pre parade ring, parade ring, and winners enclosure, this area also houses the brassiere dining facilities provided by the Roodee bar and grill.
Tattersalls Ticket.
Adjacent to the County stand, the Leverhulme Grandstand offers excellent facilities for Tattersalls ticket holders. Situated in the middle of the short home straight, the grandstand provides a full view of each race. There is also access to the parade ring and winners enclosure.
From the May meeting in 2008, Tattersalls ticket holders can enjoy fine dining in the new 3.5 million split level 1539 Restaurant and Pavilion. Named in honour of Chester historic first race meeting, The upper level of the facility offers an executive lounge facility which seats 40.
Tattersalls ticket holders can also utilise the Roodee bar and grill, plus the Champagne and Seafood bar.
Dee stand Ticket.
Although this ticket does not provide access to the parade ring and winners enclosure, the Dee Grandstand is well situated at the start of the home straight, and still provides excellent views of the racing, including a close up view of the start of the Chester Gold Cup.
The inner race goer is catered for by several bar and hot food facilities.
Course enclosure Ticket.
Excluding the tented village, and paddock areas, these ticket holders have access to the remainder of the centre section of the Roodee. The tight nature of the racecourse, and the availability of television monitors, make it possible for these ticket holders to follow all the racing action.
This is the only enclosure on the course where ticket holders may bring in their own food and drink. In fact, many visitors use the centre of the course for a family picnic. However, bar and hot food facilities are also available.
Gentlemen who want to look their best shop at:
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Disabled facilities:
Chester Racecourse Company has a proactive attitude to catering for disabled race goers.
For race goers who are confined to a wheelchair, parking can be arranged in the disabled parking bays at the Holiday Inn Express, which is located next to the racecourse. Other disabled patrons can park in the disabled spaces near the paddock.
There is a wheelchair route throughout the racecourse. Initial access is gained through the Leverhulme Grandstand. Furthermore, lifts are available in the County, Leverhulme, and Tattersalls Grandstands.
Designated viewing areas have been established in the Paddock area, plus the County, Tattersalls, and Dee Grandstands. The Paddock viewing platform gives particularly good views of the track and winning post.
A special marquee with light refreshments has been set aside for our disabled visitors. One of our stewards is always available to offer information and advice.
Specialist toilet facilities are available in all racecourse enclosures.
Dispensations are available on ticket prices for Carers.
For full details on all disabled facilities and policies, telephone the Chester Racecourse Company.
Fixtures:
Chester only stages flat racing fixtures.
Friday 21 August.
Saturday 22 August.
Saturday 12 September.
Saturday 26 September.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
The racecourse is located below the Grosvenor bridge, on the A483 Wrexham Road.
From the North and South, use the M6, the M56, and then the M53. This brings you on to the Chester ring road. On race days, The racecourse is signposted from this route.
Car and coach parking is available in the centre of the racecourse. Tickets can be purchased in advance, or bought at pay booths on the day of racing. There are also several other car parks in close proximity to the racecourse. However, to be sure of a parking space, early arrival is strongly recommended.
By Rail:
There are direct links to Chester from London Euston, Holyhead, Manchester, Crewe, and Birmingham, plus a direct Merseyrail link to Liverpool.
Chester station is about a mile from the racecourse, and on a nice day, is a wonderful walk through a picturesque and historic city.
For the less active, bus services operate between the railway station and the racecourse.
By Bus:
National Express coaches operate services into Chester, and the bus station is not too far from the racecourse.
By Air:
The nearest regional airport is Liverpool John Lennon.
Light aircraft, and helicopters can use Hawarden Deesside airfield.
Tel No: 01244 52 20 12, or 13.
Subject to Racecourse Company permission, on most race days, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address: Chester Race Co Ltd, Racecourse, Chester, Ch1 2LY.
Tel No: 01244 30 46 00.
Fax No: 01244 30 46 49.
The latest mobiles at great rates plus club card points only at:
ACCOMMODATION.
Ramada Hotel.
Tel No: 01244 33 21 21.
The superb four star Ramada Hotel is the ideal base for visitors to Chester and its historic racecourse. The hotel has 126 rooms, all of which have flat screen LCD televisions, high speed internet access, en suite facilities, and 24 hour room service. The hotel also offers suites, executive rooms, and specialist rooms for the physically challenged.
Visitors can relax in the friendly Arts Bar and lounge, conveniently situated on the ground floor. Food can be ordered from the bar up to 10 o’clock in the evening. The Arts restaurant offers diners an extensive menu of varied and interesting European and British dishes. The more energetic can enjoy the indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, spa bath and fully equipped gym of the Sebastian Coe Health Club. For further details, please use the link below.
http://www.ramadajarvis.co.uk/hotel/overview.asp?hotel_id=61
Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa.
Tel No: 01244 57 05 60.
Located in an idyllic and country setting, and just off the old Chester to Wrexham road, the award winning 4 star Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa is only 5 minutes from Chester racecourse and the historic City of Chester. The privately owned hotel has 73 en suite bedrooms, some of which are Executive, Deluxe, and Feature rooms. All bedrooms have flat screen digital tv’s offering up to 87 channels, free high speed wireless internet access and modem point, and the usual amenities you would expect in a high quality hotel. There is 24 hour room service, and a night porter.
Ciro’s Brasserie, a magnificent Mediterranean style restaurant, offers visitors fresh seasonal homemade food. While Nelson’s is a large comfortable and atmospheric bar with two open fire places. It serves traditional ales, plus a full range of beers wines and spirits, and also offers freshly prepared gastro style pub fayre.
The hotel’s spa, Karma Spa, offers visitors six indulgent treatment suites, 3 relaxation rooms, a Turkish Hamman, Arabian Rasul and includes; a roman style swimming pool, steam room, sauna, jaccuzzi and solarium. There is also a state of the art gymnasium, tennis court, and a nearby 9 hole golf course.
http://www.grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk/ratesandevents.php/
Holiday Inn Chester South.
Tel no: 0870 400 9019.
Located in a semi rural setting on the outskirts of the City of Chester, and just seconds from the junction of the A483 and A55, the Holiday Inn Chester South possesses 200 car parking spaces, and is just a straight 2 mile drive from Chester racecourse. Indeed, the hotel provides the ideal base for visitors who want to combine attendance at the races with easy access to the many historical and entertainment attractions to be found in the magnificent City of Chester.
The Holiday Inn Chester South provides 143 en suite guest rooms, each of which is equipped with; air conditioning, remote controlled television with satellite channels, wi-fi internet access, and the other room amenities discerning guests expect in a quality hotel. For visitors who are seeking some extra luxury during their stay, the hotel also provides executive rooms and suites. There are also two rooms which have been especially adapted for guests with low mobility.
The Junction Restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner meals,
will be refurbished to the highest standards during September and October of 2008, and provides a mouth watering selection of fine cuisine and superb wines. The Terrace Bar and Lounge is located on the ground floor of the hotel, and is an informal relaxing facility with a large screen television which shows Sky Sports 1. Sandwiches, snacks, and light bites are available all day, and can be enjoyed with a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. For guests who prefer to dine in their room, the hotel offers 24 hour room service.
The hotel also provides residents with access to an air conditioned and fully equipped gymnasium, a heated indoor swimming pool, plus a sauna and jaccuzzi. To obtain further details on the facilities of the Holiday Inn Chester South, or to book directly, use the link below.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/CHEWR/welcome
