Ladies Day returns to Chester Racecourse for the second day of the Boodles May Festival 2025, delivering an unmatched blend of fashion, elegance, and thrilling horse racing. A staple of the British flat racing calendar, Chester’s Ladies Day continues to captivate both racegoers and style enthusiasts across the UK.
The gates will open at 11:30 AM, giving racegoers ample time to explore the venue before the racing action begins at 1:30 PM and concludes at 4:45 PM. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and dazzling attire, Ladies Day is not only a celebration of sport but also of style. Attendees will arrive in frocks, fascinators, statement hats, and tailored suits, turning the historic racecourse into a runway of race day glamour.
One of the day’s major attractions is the Best Dressed Competition, which crowns one fashion-forward attendee with the prestigious title and a luxury prize package. This year’s winner will receive a Boodles White Gold Diamond Roulette Necklace, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet gift cards, a destination voucher, a beautiful floral bouquet, Chester Racecourse hospitality, and more stylish perks.
The racing card features seven high-stakes flat races. The afternoon opens with the CAA Stellar Handicap Stakes, a Class 2 sprint over 5 furlongs and 15 yards with £45,000 in prize money. At 2:05 PM, the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 2) is run over 5 furlongs and 110 yards for £40,000. The prestigious Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes (Class 1) follows at 2:35 PM, covering 1 mile, 2 furlongs, and 70 yards with a purse of £100,000.
The day’s richest event comes at 3:05 PM, another Class 1 race run over 1 mile, 5 furlongs, and 84 yards, offering £140,000. At 3:40 PM, the Louise Keegan Handicap Stakes (Class 2) spans 7 furlongs and 127 yards, worth £45,000. The Halliwell Jones Handicap Stakes (Class 3) follows at 4:10 PM, covering 1 mile, 2 furlongs, and 70 yards with £30,000 on the line. The action concludes with the Oxford Natural Handicap Stakes (Class 4) at 4:45 PM, a 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 63 yards contest for £25,000.
Beyond the track, Ladies Day is a standout in the Chester social calendar. It’s a platform for self-expression, with many attendees embracing sustainable fashion and creative styling. In 2024, Stephanie wowed the crowd with a vintage blue dress and handmade headband, proving that elegance doesn’t require extravagance.
As the 2025 edition draws near, excitement is building for a day filled with tradition, individuality, and the unmistakable energy that defines Chester’s Ladies Day. From thrilling turf battles to eye-catching ensembles, the experience promises to be unforgettable for both seasoned racegoers and first-time visitors.
Whether you’re there for the flat racing fixtures or the fashion-forward atmosphere, May 8 at Chester Racecourse will deliver a dazzling day of celebration during the Boodles May Festival 2025.
See you at the races—dressed to impress!
