Chester
Latest Race
1710 at Ripon (19/05/2013) (Runners:6)
- 1. Tinghir
2. Thouwra
3. Big John Cannon
4. Wynyard Boy
5. Confusing
6. Finn Mac
Non Runner. Card High
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chester Racecourse, known as the Roodee, is according to official records the oldest racecourse still in use in England.Horse racing at Chester dates back to the early sixteenth century. It is also thought to be the smallest racecourse of significance in England at 1 mile and 1 furlong long.
The 65-acre racecourse lies on the banks of the River Dee. The site was once a harbour during the Roman settlement of the city during the Dark Ages, but was closed as the river silted up thus making navigation impossible. Towards the centre of the in field is a raised mound which is decorated by a small cross known as a "rood". It is from this that the race course derives the name "Roodee"; Roodee is a corruption of "Rood Eye", meaning "The Island of the Cross".
According to legend the cross marks the burial site of a statue of the Virgin Mary sentenced to hang after causing the death of Lady Trawst, the wife of the Governor of Hawarden. The legend states that she had gone to church to pray for rain but when her prayers were answered by a tremendous thunderstorm the statue was loosened and fell, killing her. As a holy object, hanging or burning the statue would be sacrilege so the statue was left by the banks of the river and the tide carried it down to Chester. The statue was found guilty by a jury of 12 men. If the legend is true, then this is the first recorded case of a jury being used in a court.
In an alternate version of the legend, the statue was instead carried to St John's church. An ancient statue of the Virgin was recorded at the time of the reformation but may not be the same one. The statue was thrown down as a relic of popery, used as a whipping post for scholars and burned.
The site was formerly the home of the original Chester Midsummer Watch Parade, temporarily banned by Oliver Cromwell but finally abolished in 1677
Source: Description above from the Wikipedia article Chester Racecourse, licensed under CC-BY-SA full list of contributors here. Community Pages are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.
Member Service Tips
Rose Blossom
31/07/2011 16:30
CHESTER 3rd race Colin Kersley Queensferry Stakes (Listed Race) (CLASS 1) 1.200m GOOD-FIRM.
Synthesis of this race will favour Anne Of Kiev who will shadow the two very fast horse, ROSE BLOSSOM, and Lexis Hero who are drawn on the wide side. Both will be furious to take the lead, and ...
Indian Days
12/09/2009 16:15
Chester 3rd race SPORTINGBET.COM STAND CUP (LISTED RACE)(CLASS 1) GOOD.
This is a very competitive small field, with Urban Poet, Traffic Guard, and Blue Bajan being the Market leaders. INDIAN DAYS though has the capacity, and the value to upset them.
The selection has n...
Bertoliver
22/08/2009 15:25
Chester 1at race TOTEPLACEPOT HANDICAP(CLASS 4) 1.000m GOOD-FIRM.
It was about 15 months ago, when BERTOLIVER had his last win. That was in this track/distance with thesame jockey on board (P Robinson). It would'nt be the bigest surprise, if he returns in the winning mood. He has the ...
Doctor Fremantle
07/05/2009 15:15
Chester 2nd race, Stakes, Group 3, (Class 1), 2.000m, GOOD-FIRM.
DOCTOR FREMANTLE represents the Class in this group, and has a very good value in his price.
This son of Sadler's Wells has won the Chester Vase last year, and was fourth in the Derby. I think this distanc...
Green Manalishi
06/05/2009 16:15
Chester 4th race, Hdcp, (Class 2), (1.000m), GOOD.
The wide draw (13) of GREEN MANALISHI will make his price to touch the skies, but considering that he is a Course/Distance Winner, and his style of racing (attacing the leaders from the Mid-division/off the pace) he might get involved...
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