Boodles May Festival combines the excitement of horse racing with the anticipation of several trial races and the sophisticated luxury of high end jewellery. The Boodles May Festival 2026 will take place between Wednesday, 6 May and Saturday, 8 May at the Chester Racecourse.
Chester Racecourse is officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as the oldest racecourse still in operation. It is also considered the smallest among the significant racecourses of England, at 1 mile and 1 furlong (1.8 km). The area, rich with historic legends, welcomed horse racing in 1539, though the first grandstand was finished only in 1817.
This year, the Festival will open with The CAA Stellar Lily Agnes EBF Conditions Stakes as its first race, while The Chester Apprentice Handicap Stakes will close the entire event.
The Boodles Chester Vase will be taking place on the first day, while The Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes and The Ladbrokes Chester Cup will be held on the second and third days correspondingly.
Key Dates & Timings
The Boodles May Festival 2026 will be conducted in the first week of May and last for three days. This horse racing fixture will include seven races on the first, seven races on the second, and eight races on the third day, for a total of 22 races.
Day One: Trials Day
- When: Wednesday, 6 May 2026
- Gate opening: 11:30 am
- First race: 1:30 pm
- Headline race: 3:05 pm
- Last race: 4:45 pm
The daily race card for the Boodles May Festival Trials Day 2026 is as follows:
Wednesday, 6 May
Going: good
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:30 pm | THE CAA STELLAR LILY AGNES EBF CONDITIONS STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | 5f 15y | 2YO £50,000.00 |
| 2:05 pm | THE JOIN LADBROKES BET 5 GET 30 EARL GROSVENOR HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 7f 127y | 4YO+ £50,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 2:35 pm | THE WEATHERBYS CHESHIRE OAKS (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) (CL 1) | 1m 3f 75y | 3YO £120,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE BOODLES CHESTER VASE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m 4f 63y | 3YO £145,000.00 |
| 3:40 pm | THE ROODEE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 6f 17y | 3YO £30,000.00 Rating 71-90 |
| 4:10 pm | THE TMT GROUP MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 3) (GBB/GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 3) | 1m 2f 70y | 3YO £25,000.00 |
| 4:45 pm | THE AMERICAN HOLIDAYS HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 7f 1y | 4YO+ £25,000.00 Rating 71-90 |
Day Two: Ladies Day
- When: Thursday, 7 May 2026
- Gate opening: 11:30 am
- First race: 1:30 pm
- Headline race: 3:05 pm
- Last race: 4:45 pm
The daily race card for the Boodles May Festival Ladies Day 2026 is as follows:
Thursday, 7 May 2026
Going: good
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:30 pm | THE CAA STELLAR HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 5f 15y | 4YO+ £45,000.00 Rating 0-100 |
| 2:05 pm | THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | 5f 110y | 2YO £40,000.00 |
| 2:35 pm | THE BOODLES RAINDANCE DEE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) (CL 1) | 1m 2f 70y | 3YO £100,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE LADBROKES ORMONDE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m 5f 84y | 4YO+ £150,000.00 |
| 3:40 pm | THE CHESTER HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 7f 127y | 3YO £45,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 4:10 pm | THE HALLIWELL JONES HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 3) | 1m 2f 70y | 4YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 71-90 |
| 4:45 pm | THE XENON WORKPLACE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 3) | 1m 4f 63y | 3YO £27,000.00 Rating 71-90 |
Day Three: Chester Cup Day
- When: Friday, 8 May 2026
- Gate opening: 11:30 am
- First race: 1:30 pm
- Headline race: 3:05 pm
- Last race: 5:20 pm
The daily race card for the Boodles May Festival Chester Cup Day 2026 is as follows:
Friday, 8 May 2026
Going: good
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:30 pm | THE CAA STELLAR GREAT CHESHIRE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 2f 70y | 4YO+ £45,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 2:05 pm | THE BOODLES DARLEY EBF MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBB/GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 4f 63y | 3YO £40,000.00 |
| 2:35 pm | THE HUXLEY STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 1m 2f 70y | 4YO+ £170,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE LADBROKES CHESTER CUP (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 2m 2f 140y | 4YO+ £170,000.00 |
| 3:40 pm | THE CRC HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) (CL 4) | 6f 17y | 4YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 61-80 |
| 4:10 pm | THE LADBROKES GET A FREE RACE BET TODAY CHESTER PLATE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 2m 2f 140y | 4YO+ £50,000.00 |
| 4:45 pm | THE IRISH THOROUGHBRED MARKETING HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 5f 15y | 3YO £30,000.00 Rating 71-90 |
| 5:20 pm | THE CHESTER APPRENTICE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 4) | 1m 4f 63y | 4YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 61-80 |
Headline Races at the Boodles May Festival 2026
The Boodles May Festival 2026 meeting includes 22 races, with seven races conducted on the first day, seven races conducted on the second day, and eight races conducted on the third day. Several races of the event serve as trials for the Epsom Derby meeting, so the visitors of the Chester Racecourse are in for a treat with breathtaking battles taking place on the tracks on all three days of the Festival.
The Boodles Chester Vase (Wednesday, 6 May)
The Boodles Chester Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race that accepts male horses aged three years. It is run over the distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 63 yards (2,472 metres).
The race was established in 1907 and originally accepted horses aged three and four years. In 1959, it was restricted to three year olds only. It also has changed its distance several times during its history. Chester Vase is known as a trial for the Epsom Derby that takes place a month later.
Due to the age restriction, horses only have one chance in their racing career to become the winner of the Chester Vase. Thus, there are no records for multiple wins. On the other hand, it is absolutely possible for jockeys and trainers to win the race more than once.
The most successful jockey of the Chester Vase is Ryan Moore with 9 wins (Doctor Fremantle 2008, Treasure Beach 2011, Ruler Of The World 2013, Orchestra 2014, Hans Holbein 2015, US Army Ranger 2016, Venice Beach 2017, Changingoftheguard 2022, Lambourn 2025).
Aidan O’Brien has trained the largest number of winners for the race with 11 wins (Soldier Of Fortune 2007, Golden Sword 2009, Treasure Beach 2011, Ruler Of The World 2013, Orchestra 2014, Hans Holbein 2015, US Army Ranger 2016, Venice Beach 2017, Sir Dragonet 2019, Changingoftheguard 2022, Lambourn 2025).
The latest winner in 2025 was a bay colt Lambourn. He went on to win the Epsom Derby as well as the Irish Derby in the same season. Previously, he won two out of the three races he ran in during his debut season of 2024, namely Irish EBF Median Sires Series Race and Criterium De L’Ouest – Haras De Bouquetot Listed Stakes. Lambourn was trained by Aidan O’Brien and led on the track by jockey Ryan Moore.
Currently, there are 13 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- A Taste of Glory (age 3, jockey Daniel Muscutt, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Bay Of Brilliance (age 3, jockey Rossa Ryan, trainer Ralph Beckett)
- Benvenuto Cellini (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Del Maro (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charley Appleby)
- Isaac Newton (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- James J Braddock (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Maltese Cross (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Haggas)
- Mr Colonel (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard & Peter Fahey)
- Mr Vettori (age 3, jockey Shane Foley, trainer Mrs John Harrington)
- Proposition (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Royal Standard (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Shosholoza (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Water To Wine (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
The Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes (Thursday, 7 May)
The Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over the distance of 1 mile, 5 furlongs and 84 yards (2,692 metres).
The race was launched in 1936 and owes its name to a famous racehorse who won the 1886 English Triple Crown, earning the title of the “horse of the century” at the time. It serves as a trial for the Coronation Cup conducted during the Epsom Derby Festival.
As many as four horses have won the Ormonde Stakes several times: Sovrango (1962, 1963), Shambo (1993, 1994), St Expedit (2001, 2002), and Hamish (2022, 2023), each with 2 wins.
At the same time, one jockey and one trainer hold the titles of the most successful participants of the Ormonde Stakes. Jockey Ryan Moore has 7 wins (Harbinger 2010, St Nicholas Abbey 2011, Dartmouth 2016, Idaho 2018, Japan 2021, Point Lonsdale 2024, Illinois 2025). Trainer Aidan O’Brien also has 7 wins (Macarthur 2008, St Nicholas Abbey 2011, Memphis Tennessee 2012, Idaho 2018, Japan 2021, Point Lonsdale 2024, Illinois 2025).
The latest winner in 2025 was a bay colt Illinois, who turned 4 a couple of months before the race. This was the best performance of his third racing season. He held one win in his debut season of 2023 (Shoda Market Cafe Irish European Breeders Fund Maiden) and two wins in the 2024 season (Queen’s Vase and Qatar Prix Chaudenay). Illinois was trained by Aidan O’Brien and led on the track by jockey Ryan Moore.
Currently, there are 11 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Al Qareem (age 7, jockey Clifford Lee, trainer Karl Burke)
- Arabian Force (age 4, jockey Tom Marquand, trainer William Haggas)
- Beylerbeyi (age 6, jockey Billy Loughnane, trainer Ian Williams)
- Hamish (age 10, jockey Tom Marquand, trainer William Haggas)
- Illinois (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Jan Brueghel (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Lambourn (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Mount Atlas (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Rahiebb (age 4, jockey Ray Dawson, trainer Roger Varian)
- Real Dream (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Williams)
- Sons And Lovers (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
The Ladbrokes Chester Cup (Friday, 8 May)
The Ladbrokes Chester Cup is a flat handicap horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over the distance of 2 miles, 2 furlongs and 140 yards (3,749 metres).
Established in 1824, it has changed its name and distance several times. Today, it is the centerpiece of the entire Boodles May Festival. The 2026 season was marked with a record breaking initial number of declared participants.
There are no horses that managed to win the Chester Cup more than two times during their career, but there are as many as nine of those who did it twice: Leamington (1857, 1859), Dalby (1865, 1866), Pageant (1877, 1878), Dare Devil (1892, 1893), Chivalrous (1922, 1923), Sea Pigeon (1977, 1978), Top Cees (1995, 1997), Rainbow High (1999, 2001), and Anak Pekan (2004, 2005).
Two jockeys share the title of the most successful jockey of the Chester Cup, with 4 wins each: Sam Darling (Independence 1831, Colwick 1832, Pickpocket 1833, Cardinal Puff 1839) and Lester Piggott (Sandiacre 1958, Aegean Blue 1966, Major Rose 1968, John Cherry 1976).
One trainer stands out when it comes to victories at the Chester Cup: Barry Hills with 4 wins (Arapahos 1980, Rainbow High 1999, 2001, Daraahem 2009).
The latest winner in 2025 was a bay gelding East India Dock, who turned 4 two months prior to the race. This was his second win of 2025, with the first one taking place at the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle. While in his debut season of 2023 East India Dock didn’t show any outstanding results, he had quite a successful season in 2024, winning as many as four races: Myddelton & Major Handicap (May), Royal Sussex Regiment Handicap (September), Alhampton Inn Juvenile Hurdle (October), and JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (November). East India Dock was trained by James Owen and led on the track by jockey Harry Davies.
Currently, there are 66 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Alsakib (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
- Aimeric (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jennie Candlish)
- Leinster (age 5, jockey Ryan Moore, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- A Piece Of Heaven (age 8, jockey Billy Loughnane, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Maxi King (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy)
- Tashkhan (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Brian Ellison)
- Align The Stars (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Berkshire Sundance (age 6, jockey Oisin Murphy, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Spirit Mixer (age 8, jockey Rob Hornby, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Duraji (age 5, jockey Finley Marsh, trainer Richard Hughes)
- Galileo Dame (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Moon Over Miami (age 5, jockey Hector Crouch, trainer Ralph Beckett)
- Puturhandstogether (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Team Player (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ewan Whillans)
- Zanndabad (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Alphonse Le Grande (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Blindedbythelights (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sir Mark Prescott)
- Chemistry (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jennie Candlish)
- Give It To Me OJ (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gary & Josh Moore)
- Lips Freedom (age 6, jockey Ashley Lewis, trainer Andrew Kinirons)
- Peaky Blinder (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Hamsiyann (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Pole Star (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Sax Appeal (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Tribal Star (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian McGuinness)
- Who’s Glen (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
- Kate O’Riley (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Owen)
- Kingstonian (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Mr Escobar (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- King’s Scholar (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
- Maxident (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy)
- Carlton (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Owen)
- Imperial Sovereign (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Kirby)
- Shrimp Shady (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Gibside (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tim Easterby)
- It’s All About You (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jennie Candlish)
- St Faz (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian Paul Keatley)
- Call My Bluff (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis)
- Eben Zaabeel (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Legendary Day (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer F J Brennan)
- Humble Spark (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jim Goldie)
- Morning Air (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Venetia Williams)
- Wahraan (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jessica Bedi)
- Francesco Baracca (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Eve Johnson Houghton)
- Sir Callisto (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Boxing Great (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Thornton)
- Dino Bellagio (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
- Dreams Adozen (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Owen)
- Dance Time (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer David Loughnane)
- Loki (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
- Day Trader (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Marbuzet (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tim Easterby)
- Bittalemon (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Moffatt)
- Melon (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
- Pergamon (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jennie Candlish)
- Wise Counsellor (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Daniel Steele)
- Catch Fire (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Gooloogong (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer George Baker)
- Vaguely Royal (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Williams)
- Fleurman (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Patrick Morris)
- Action Pact (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Michael & David Easterby)
- Goin’ (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Bruant (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Zimmerman (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tim Easterby)
- Atheneum (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Kirby)
- Zuzukel (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
Betting at Boodles May Festival 2026
With such a variety of races, a possibility to see future participants of the Epsom Derby, as well as a Best Dressed competition conducted on Ladies Day, the Boodles May Festival attracts horse racing enthusiasts, bettors, fashionistas, and bookmakers alike. Major bookmaking platforms that include horse racing in their offers will have odds on all races of the event.
As it is typical for most significant racecourses in Britain, the Chester Racecourse will offer the possibility to place a bet at the venue through a number of specialised facilities. Those staying at home but still interested in a wager will have online betting at their service.
Regardless of which method you choose for placing your bet, always practice responsible gambling. Before you choose a race, a betting market, or a horse to back, make sure you are betting based on an informed decision rather than randomly. Analyse the recent performance and physical form of the runners and jockeys, verify whether outsiders tend to win at particular races, check the market trends and compare odds offered by various bookmaking establishments. Those present at the Chester Racecourse for the event can take a look at the horses in the Parade Ring for a personal evaluation.
At 7bet, we offer a wide range of horse race betting markets both for domestic and international events.
Please note that odds for the Boodles May Festival 2026 will be available closer to the event date.
Betting at the Boodles May Festival 2026 includes various horse betting markets, with some of the most popular ones being:
- Win: This betting market is similar to any other straight win market in sports betting. But even if you are not familiar with it, the mechanism behind this bet is easy to understand, making it the best recommended bet for newbie punters before they master the odds and gain experience. Your objective here is to predict the winner and the outcome of the race. Your wager goes on a horse you see as the most likely to come to the finish line first. If your prediction happens to be correct, your wager will be eligible for a payout proportional to the offered odds and your stake size.
- Place: This betting market is as simple as the previous one but involves somewhat lower risks. You are placing a bet that the horse you chose will finish the race in the winning top, or, in other words, will be placed. Depending on the number of runners before the start of the race and the type of the race, this can be between two and four places. The exact number of placements is always announced in advance. Two factors play in your favour here. Number one, your horse gets a better chance to win as there are more placements than race winners. Number two, you don’t have to predict the exact place your horse takes, only the fact that it will come to the finish line within the winning top. So any qualifying place will bring you a victory. This bet works especially well for those who want to bet on the outcome but prefer a more controlled risk or in cases when there are several strong contenders competing for a win.
- First Two (or First Three): This betting market follows a more complex mechanism that involves higher risks. Your task as a punter here is to predict the winner and the first runner up of the race, i.e. the horses who take the first and the second places. Keep in mind that you don’t have to place two separate stakes. An important aspect is that the horses have to come to the finish line in the order that you specified in your bet. If they swap places or one of them misses the place completely, you will lose your wager.
- Two From Three: This betting market operates under the same mechanism but offers a slightly higher chance of winning. For your bet, you are naming two horses out of the first three to finish the race. The factor that reduces the risk is that you don’t need to predict their exact places. If they both finish the race within the top three, you will be eligible for a payout. However, if one of them falls behind and finishes the race in a lower position, your wager will be lost.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org