THE RACES ( CHESTER DIARY 1961 )
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Racing on the Roodee at Chester has moved
into its fifth century of existence. The fourth centenary of one of the oldest Meetings in the CALENDAR occurred when Hitler's hordes were threatening not only the country but the very traditions we hold dear. One of these is surely Chester Races, which are known to have dated from 1540, the event being run on Shrove Tuesday of that year. |
In 1609 that date of the Meeting was altered to St. George's Day, when: " That horse which with speed did over-run the rest should have the best cup, there presently delivered ..."About this time it is questionable which event rated the highest: the horse racing or the cock fights, but when, in 1824, the Tradesmen's Cup was established, then came the direct link with the present Chester Cup. With a title taken, obviously, from the donors, the first winner of what was to be ultimately the Chester Cup, was at 6 to 4 against, hot favourite Doge of Venice.
Moving down the years it is of interest to note that the 1844 winner was Red Deer, whose jockey Kitchenar went
into the saddle at 3 stone 4 pounds with a 10 pound penalty. Carrying this 4 stone Red Deer's was the first 3 year
old victory
1893 became a noteable year in turf history, for then the title Chester Cup was given to the premier race and for the first time gate money was taken at the Meeting and the Chester Race Company was founded
From then on much money was spent in improvements, so much so that at the turn of the century the author of the BRITISH TURF rated the Chester Cup as the third most attractive race of the year, behind the Derby and St. Leger.
It would be wrong to write a history of the Chester Races, no matter how brief, without mentioning two of the finest horses within recent years to score victories at Chester. Hyperion and Windsor Lad both won the Chester Vase - a race inaugurated in 1907 - in successive years, 1933 and 1934, and then went on to take the turf's classic prize - the Derby.
Similarly, too, mention must be made of the Cheshire Cheeses which go to the first three home in the Cup Race.
The Roodee course sees but one Meeting a year. Other than being a great Cheshire holiday this Meeting ranks high
amongst all who follow the Sport of Kings.
THE ROODEE (Rood - cross, Eye or eia - island)
Now measuring some sixty-five acres, included before the construction of the Grosvenor Bridge the area now known as the Little Roodee. Only the base of the original cross is left. The Roodee has always provided a most valuable assembly ground. Here each year were held the city pageants. A great football match was played each Shrove Tuesday, to which the whole city flocked. Here, since 1540, have taken place the Chester Races, now a three-day fixture at the beginning of May. The Chester Cup was originally called the Tradesmen's Cup, and was run for on St. George's Day. The Chester Autumn Sports and Carnival and the County Agricultural Show are also held on the Roodee, which is a natural show-ground, and has the additional advantage of the Racecourse grandstands.
CHESTER and the Northern Marches By Guy Williams
Printed By Ebenezer Baylis and Son, Ltd The Trinity Press , Worcester, and London.
The shape of the Roodee course may sometimes
be criticized, but it has one almost unique advantage - the spectator can follow easily the whole of the proceedings
with the naked eye from every part of it. In 1817 a grandstand was erected opposite the starting post, causing
Joseph Hemingway to comment:
For the nobility and
gentry this edifice yields the most perfect accommodation; and to the lower orders, the walls afford an excellent
view. ...
It is interesting to note that some great boulders that once formed part of the old Roman wharf can be seen near
the base of this stand!
The Chester Cup is now one of the most coveted trophies in the racing world. Originally, this trophy was known
as the "Tradesman's Cup", and it was first put up in 1824. The horses had to start at the Castle Gate,
to run an entire round, and end "at the Coming-in Chair". The first winner of the Tradesman's Cup was
a six-year-old called Doge of Venice, which belonged to Sir Thomas Stanley of Hooton Hall. ( The Stanleys, it will
be remembered, were the family who probably brought Shakespeare to Chester.)
For ten years after the presentation of the Tradesman's Cup, the meetings on the Roodee were held under the auspices
of the City Corporation. Then, in 1835, the Municipal Capitals Reform Act made it illegal for public money to be
squandered on racing prizes.The citizens of Chester, anxious to see their meeting grow subscribed and the Chester
Cup was endowed In 1846 the Illustrated London News reported from Chester :
The Town-folks are in high glee about the Quant. Stiff, of Engagements, every bed and other restiable being bespoke.
The Theatre was open - and full - every night during the race week, and those who were not fortunate enough to
gain admittance could usually find a cock-fighting main somewhere in the city to keep them amused.
One of the most remarkable races for the Chester Cup was that won by the Duke of Richmond's three-year-old Red
Deer in 1844. Red Deer was ridden by the diminutive jockey Kitchener, who weighed on the day only 3st. 4lb.! There
were twenty-six horses in the race, among them being some of the best horses in England. As soon as the signal
flag fell, Kitchener, in the words of an observer, "sent in his spurs, cleared his horses, made running as hard as he could split, and thus
continuing from end to end, won by at least a dozen lengths....
It was the hollowest thing ever done by an infant of 4 stone over such a course as that at Chester - and two circuits
of it to boot".
Race Week, which takes place early in May, is still one of the principal events of the Chester Calendar, but nowadays
there is also an Autumn Meeting that brings extra trade and excitement to the city.
