Chester Racecourse: A Historic Track with Ghostly Gallopers
Chester Racecourse, known as the Roodee, claims the title of the world’s oldest racecourse still in use, dating back to 1539. Built on a silted-up Roman harbor near the city walls, it replaced dangerous Gorse Stacks races under Henry Gee, Chester’s mayor, whose name inspired the term “gee-gees” for horses. The oval track, hugged by the River Dee, has hosted thrilling races for nearly 500 years, from Tudor spectacles to modern Grandstand events. It’s a cornerstone of Chester’s sporting history, but some say the Roodee’s past riders haven’t crossed the finish line for good.
The site’s Roman roots—once a bustling port—and its medieval shift to a racing ground weave a rich tapestry of history. Crowds have cheered here for centuries, but whispers of tragedy and triumph linger, fueling tales of Chester ghost stories tied to the turf.
Alleged Ghost Stories
One legend tells of The Fallen Jockey, a rider named William Tate who died in a 17th-century race when his horse stumbled on the tight turn. His spectral form, clad in faded silks, gallops the track at dawn, hooves thundering silently before fading into the mist. Spectators report a sudden chill as he passes. Another tale features The Roman Centurion, a soldier drowned in the harbor before it silted up. Unearthed bones from Roman times sparked the story, and now a stern figure in a plumed helmet is seen near the stands, glaring at the modern crowds as if guarding his lost domain, his shadow cast long on race days.