Chester Racecourse has announced a landmark three-year partnership with Ladbrokes.

The collaboration sees Ladbrokes named as the Official Fixed Betting Partner for the Boodles May Festival, which takes place May 7-9, and title sponsor of Ladbrokes Chester Cup Day on Friday, May 9.

The three-day Boodles May Festival is the curtain-raiser for the racing season at Chester, featuring Trials Day, Ladies Day, and Ladbrokes Chester Cup Day.

The festival culminates in the Ladbrokes Chester Cup, the biggest and highest prize money race of the season at Chester, which celebrated its 200th anniversary last year.

As part of this partnership, Ladbrokes will sponsor a race on each day of the Boodles May Festival, including the prestigious Ormonde Stakes on Ladies Day.

The Ormonde Stakes is named after the undefeated English Thoroughbred racehorse foaled at Eaton Hall in Chester and has seen legendary trainers such as Aidan O’Brien, John Gosden, William Haggas, and Andrew Balding claim victory.

Additionally, Ladbrokes will be sponsoring the Chester Plate, a key race that serves as a consolation to the Ladbrokes Chester Cup and was won last year by jockey William Buick.

Simon Clare, PR Director for Ladbrokes, said: “Horse racing is part of Ladbrokes’ DNA, and our objective is to strengthen our support for, and promotion of, the sport through this exciting partnership with Chester Racecourse, which marks a welcome return to Ladbrokes’ sponsorship of The Chester Cup after thirty years.

“We are looking for sponsorship of iconic races, as well as partnerships with racecourses that share the same values as Ladbrokes, and Chester Racecourse and the Chester Cup ticks all the boxes.” 

Kate Dawson, Commercial Director at Chester Racecourse, said: “The Boodles May Festival is the standout event of the racing season at Chester, combining world-class racing with an unrivalled atmosphere, and we are thrilled to welcome Ladbrokes as our Official Fixed Betting Partner and title sponsor of Ladbrokes Chester Cup Day.

“Their return to Chester is particularly special as it marks the 30-year anniversary of their first sponsorship of the Chester Cup in 1995.”