Boodles May Festival Trials Day - Chester Racecourse

Boodles May Festival Trials Day For The Champions of Tomorrow

The curtain rises on a thrilling new season of racing excellence – and you’re invited to be part of it.

Join us on Wednesday 6th May for the return of the prestigious Boodles May Festival Trials Day, a fixture that sees top owners and trainers showcase rising champions.

Experience the running of The Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks, a trial for the Epsom Oaks for fillies and The Boodles Chester Vase, one of two trials run at the meeting for the Epsom Derby.

And after a sensational 2025 Trials Day, anticipation for 2026 is already building. Last season, we saw Minnie Hauk land The Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks and then storm on to victory in the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks. Meanwhile, Lambourn stormed away from his rivals to win the Boodles Chester Vase, then powered to triumph in the Epsom Derby.

This is not just racing – it’s the unveiling of greatness.

Schedule

Gates open

11:30 am

First race

1:50 pm

Last race

5:20 pm

The Going

Information will be available two weeks prior to the event.

Weather

Information will be available two weeks prior to the event.

Open Course Closure

The Open Course will be closed during the Boodles May Festival. Roodee guests who wish to bring a picnic and camping chairs are welcome to use the grassed areas in front of Gate 9.

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Highlights

The Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks

A race steeped in history, The Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks is open to three-year-old fillies and serves as a trial for the Epsom Oaks.

Our 2025 champion, Minnie Hauk, didn’t just win – she dominated. She first seized victory in the Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks, then stormed through the competition to claim the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, and Yorkshire Oaks, claiming her status as a true racing superstar.

The Boodles Chester Vase

Move over fillies! It’s time for the colts & geldings to step up the plate for the Boodles Chester Vase – one of two trials run at the meeting for the Epsom Derby.

Legendary Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien holds the record for the most wins in this race, boasting an impressive eleven victories. His latest triumph came with Lambourn, who not only claimed the Boodles Chester Vase but went on to conquer the Epsom Derby itself.

Draw for the Ladbrokes Chester Cup

Whether drawn on the inside, outside, or centre of the field, the draw for the Ladbrokes Chester Cup can play a vital role in the outcome of our big race of the year! Racing out of Stall 3 when beaten a neck in 2023, Zoffee exacted his revenge when landing the plum draw in Stall 1 on his way to taking the 2024 running of the Ladbrokes Chester Cup.

Racecard

1:50 pm

THE CAA STELLAR LILY AGNES EBF CONDITIONS STAKES

Group

Class 2, 2yo

Distance

5f 15y

Prize

£50,000

2:25 pm

THE LADBROKES EARL GROSVENOR HANDICAP STAKES

Group

Class 2, 4+yo

Distance

7f 127y

Prize

£45,000

3:00 pm

THE WEATHERBYS CHESHIRE OAKS (Listed)

Group

Class 1, 3yo

Distance

1m 3f 75y

Prize

£120,000

3:35 pm

THE BOODLES CHESTER VASE STAKES (Group 3)

Group

Class 1, 3yo

Distance

1m 4f 63y

Prize

£140,000

4:10 pm

THE DESTINATION2 STAKES

Group

Class 3, 3yo

Distance

6f 17y

Prize

£30,000

4:45 pm

THE TMT GROUP MAIDEN STAKES

Group

Class 3, 3yo

Distance

1m 2f 70y

Prize

£25,000

5:20 pm

THE HANDICAP STAKES

Group

Class 3, 4+yo

Distance

7f 1y

Prize

£25,000

Raceday FAQs

Got a question about your raceday? Don’t have a MARE – just check out our handy FAQs.

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Can I access the Open Course on this fixture?

The Open Course will be closed during the Boodles May Festival.

Roodee guests who wish to bring a picnic and camping chairs are welcome to use the grassed area in front of Gate 9.

What Should I Wear?

We want you to feel fabulous in whatever you wear on a raceday but we do have certain dress codes for each enclosure. Lucky for you, we have a guide which tells you the yays or neighs!

Dress Code – Chester Racecourse

We might be switching things up with our dress code for the 2026 season – keep an eye out closer to the time for the latest info!

Where Can I Find The Going Report?

Need to clue up on the racing track info? Head over to the individual raceday page and find the latest updates there.

Can Children Attend?

You bet they can and even better – children aged 17 and under go FREE! For general admission areas, no ticket is required but for hospitality areas, a pre-booked child ticket is needed. To do this, simply email hospitality@chester-races.com.

*Please note – children are not allowed in The Garden or Winning Post Enclosures – this is where the grown ups let their hair down!

Which Forms of Payment Do You Accept?

We’re cashless (apart from the bookmakers) For all your drinks and tasty nibbles, we accept all major debit/credit cards and Apple/Android Pay. For placing bets, cash can be used with our on-course bookmakers.

Plan Your Day Your Guide

You’ve bought your tickets, woohoo! – now it’s time to plan your visit. So you can get a gallop on, we’ve created a handy little guide to help your day run smoothly.

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Check out our policies and services available to racegoers with accessibility needs.