CHESTER RACE COMPANY RAISES £2,000 FOR RETRAINING OF RACEHORSES THROUGH COMMUNITY ART AUCTION

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2 Jul 2026

Chester Race Company has raised £2,000 for Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) for a specially commissioned painting of Chester Racecourse.

The artwork, created by Chester-based artist Anne Byrne, was commissioned to celebrate Chester Racecourse’s heritage and position as the worlds oldest operating racecourse and its connection to the local community.

Louise Stewart, CEO at Chester Race Company, worked closely with the OH Foundation – an independent social enterprise focused on supporting the growth and development of the creative industries in Chester – to select Anne for the commission, recognising both her distinctive artistic style and strong local ties.

100% of the proceeds will be donated to Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), a charity dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of former racehorses beyond their racing careers. The piece was sold to a long-standing partner and supporter of Chester Racecourse.

The initiative reflects Chester Race Company’s ongoing commitment to supporting charitable causes, celebrating local talent and creating meaningful partnerships that extend the impact of racing beyond the track. By bringing together art, community engagement and equine welfare, the project has helped generate support for retired racehorses while showcasing one of the UK’s most iconic sporting venues through a local artist’s eyes.

Louise Stewart commented: “We are proud to have worked with local artist Anne Byrne and the OH Foundation on a project that reflects both the heritage of Chester Racecourse and the positive role it can play in the local community. £2,000 will go a long way for a charity like Retraining of Racehorses, which is obviously a cause that is very close to our hearts.”

David Catlow, Managing Director of Retraining of Racehorses, said: “We are extremely grateful to Chester Racecourse for this generous donation, raised through the sale of a painting celebrating such an iconic racing venue. Contributions of this kind make a real difference to RoR’s charitable work, helping us provide welfare support, education and opportunities for former racehorses and the people who care for them in their lives after racing.”

“We are proud to have worked with local artist Anne Byrne and the OH Foundation on a project that reflects both the heritage of Chester Racecourse and the positive role it can play in the local community. £2,000 will go a long way for a charity like Retraining of Racehorses, which is obviously a cause that is very close to our hearts.”