Chester Races Ladies’ Day kicks off in style with bold colours and glam full-length gowns
GLAMOROUS revellers are soaking up the gorgeous sun at the prestigious Ladies’ Day event.
It’s not just the fabulous weather we’re all enjoying today – the guests at the popular racing event appear to have pulled out all the stops with their jaw-dropping looks.
It’s not just women who have donned their fanciest frocks today – men, too, have chosen their finest suits for the racecourse extravaganza.
Of course, it’s no Ladies’ Day without racing lovers showing off an array of eye-catching headwear and sky-high stilettos, paired with shiny accessories and flawless make-up.
Established in 1539, Chester is the oldest racecourse still in operation in the world.
The racecourse has consistently been awarded the Gold Standard Award by the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) since the award’s inception and was awarded the prestigious title of Large Racecourse of the Year, when the award was launched in 2015 and again in 2018 and 2019.
Boodles May Festival 2024
This is Chester Racecourse’s most prestigious three-day race meeting, taking place at the beginning of May every year and launching the remainder of the years racing season.
The Boodles May Festival consist of three race meetings – Trials Day, Ladies Day and Chester Cup Day – with each meeting having its own unique character and personality.
For instance, Ladies Day is an iconic fixture, often used by racing lovers to showcase their best frocks and trends in outfits put together to wow.
Meanwhile, Trials Day and Chester Cup Day are fan favourites amongst the hardcore racegoers, as the annual Chester Vase race is used as a trial for the prestigious Epsom Derby – and the Chester Cup race essentially weeds out the best of jockeys and racehorses.
This year will be an extra special celebration as racing super fans will be honouring 200 years of the Chester Cup.
Last year’s race was won by Metier (5-1) under Saffie Osborne who grabbed victory in the Chester Cup on final day.
‘Absolute heartbreak‘
Racegoers experienced an ”absolute heartbreak” yesterday as Hidden Law – the winner of the big race – suffered a fatal injury just yards after the post.
The Charlie Appleby-trained winner had just surged over the line in the Group 3 Boodles Chester Vase – a key trial for the Epsom Derby.
However, the runner suffered a life-ending injury when being pulled up by the Norwegian-British jockey William Buick.
ommentator Richard Hoiles said: “From poetry in motion to absolute heartbreak.
“Oh that’s absolutely horrible, that’s absolutely heartbreaking for all concerned.
“Hidden Law has broken down badly after the running line and it is a bad injury as well.
“William Buick holding the horse, who is quickly attended… and that is a quite horrible postscript to the Chester Vase.
“Hidden Law is the winner of the Chester Vase but that is an awful incident just after the line and there is nothing much more you can say.
“A horrible end to the day – the horse is being attended to but it looks very serious indeed.”
ITV host Leonna Mayor added: “It’s awful. So sad.”
Confirming the death, the jockey explained how it happened: “He fractured his leg, unfortunately.
“He passed the line all OK and then when he’s crossed the road, he’s took a false step on it and he’s come down on it basically.
“It’s one of those very freak accidents. Unfortunately, we can only go on what we’ve seen and won’t see again for the future, it’s very disappointing.”