History of the Roodee
Horse racing at Chester dates back to the early sixteenth century. 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".