RACING SADDLE

CHAIR’S WELCOME

WELCOME TO DAY ONE OF THE 2022 BOODLES MAY FESTIVAL - CITY DAY

Good afternoon,

I’m thrilled to be able to welcome you back to Chester Racecourse for a momentous day – the Boodles May Festival City Day! Not only does this fixture mark the beginning of our 2022 racing season here at the world’s oldest racecourse, it’s also the first day of our famous Boodles May Festival, which hasn’t been held with a crowd present since 2019. Today’s racing is set to impress with 7 races on the card. The first race of the season will take to the track at 1:30pm with The ICM Stellar Sports Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes. Then at 3:10pm, the thrills will be taken to new heights as the iconic Boodles Chester Vase takes place with a phenomenal prize fund of £111,000. Finally, the day’s fun will close at 4:45pm with The Stephen Wade Handicap Stakes. I’d like to extend a thank you to today’s sponsors. First, our title sponsor of the entire May Festival and one of Chester Racecourse’s longeststanding friends, Boodles. Additionally, our new partner Edinburgh Gin, who have this year taken title sponsorship of the Edinburgh Gin Garden enclosure – we’re so very excited to have you join us in this exciting new chapter for our businesses. The TOTE who are present across the racecourse today offering their gaming services. Deepbridge, a successful company who also call our historic city home. ICM Stellar Sports, who have been long-standing supporters of the racecourse. Weatherby’s, who play an instrumental role in British horseracing. Finally, LegatOwen whose Chartered Surveyors can be found across the North West. All of us at Chester Racecourse are grateful for your support. Our next race meeting is tomorrow, as the Boodles May Festival hits its stride with Ladies Day, when the city of Chester is turned into an exhibition of the latest styles and trends. I hope you’ll join us tomorrow to celebrate the return of these iconic race meetings once again.