Chester Racecourse.
‘The Horse that Ran before All Others’
Having the privilege of being commissioned to paint and capture the worlds’ oldest operational racecourse (verified in 2019 by Guinness World Records) has been a real honour. Established in 1539,
Chester is the world’s oldest operational racecourse (verified in 2019 by Guinness World Records) and has continued to provide iconic and unforgettable race days to avid racegoers.
From an artists’ perspective, the Racecourse certainly delivers; there’s plenty to work with.
'Early beginings.
Also known as ‘The Roodee’, Chester Racecourse is a mixture of Norse and Saxon languages meaning ‘The Island of the Cross’. In Roman times, the site was a functioning Port that delivered supplies to the ‘Deva Garrison stationed in the city. And today, a medieval Sandstone cross with its own story to tell still sits on the centre of the site is just one aspect of this famous course. The course also offers other visible elements of its unique history such as Roman walls and a city-centre location where casual observers can experience the thrill of horses and riders racing at speed whilst staying balanced and close to the famously tight curves on the course.
But capturing that richness of heritage comes a responsibility.
As a painter I often feel that the ‘inherent energy of places’ lingers over time. I certainly sensed this latent energy whilst walking the course. Even on the quietest of days, when horses, jockeys and crowds are absent, the venue exudes its own powerful energy – echoing centuries of human activity either through trade or leisure.
Beginning was the easy part. I researched the history of the site, exploring its development and milestones from the first horserace of 1539 when the Mayor of Chester; Henry Gee decreed that horseracing should replace the former football match that took place on the site on Gottesday (Shrove Tuesday). The match was originally banned in 1533 due to the allegedly high number of injuries incurred.
I ‘walked the course’, coming across the sandstone cross reputedly formerly a timber cross that had collapsed and caused the death of the then Wife of Governor of Hawarden. The tragedy took place a few miles downstream and the cross then floated upstream to settle on the silt island that had formed with the demise of the site as a functioning Port in earlier times.
I observed the architecture…noting the new iconic grandstand that had replaced the original nineteenth century County Stand that had burnt to the ground in 1985.
I sketched…on site and used my camera to capture elements iconic elements; the final furlong, the ‘Roodee Cross’, the wrought ironwork in the stands, the relatively recently added statues on site.
But importantly, in all of this I was looking at composition. After looking at varying views and perspectives. only one approach delivered on everything I was asking for; the approach to the final furlong. Thats the exillerating view that riders and horses experience on that final approach to the finishing line. The composition captured everything I wanted to capture and convey.
The Finished Painting
My aim was to deliver a painting that went above and beyond that inspirational brief and present a piece that captured the power, energy and movement that this iconic venue possesses in abundance. Only the viewer can answer whether I achieved that or not.
However, the opportunity to create an image that will become an integral part of the Racecourse’s continuing story cannot be denied. What a privilege this is and one that I will not forget.
The painting will be available for bids via Bonhams soon with proceeds going to Chester Racecourse elected charities. Be sure to sign up for further updates.
With huge thanks to Monika Swindells from the oH Foundation in Chester and Chester Racecourse for commissioning me to work on this unforgettable project.