'It leads to an elitist flavour' - Chester to review dress code policy

Chester will apply "sensible judgement" on dress codes at this week's May meeting after the track's new chief executive Louise Stewart said the recent footwear furore at Sandown had painted an elitist image of racing.

The debate over dress codes was reignited on bet365 Gold Cup day last month when two racegoers were initially refused entry to Sandown's most expensive enclosure for wearing white trainers.

Sandown will review dress code after snub to racegoers with white trainers

The Jockey Club, which owns Sandown, subsequently said it intends to review dress code arrangements and Chester has announced it will do the same at an "appropriate time".

Trainers – and shorts – are currently not permitted in Chester's premier and Tattersalls enclosures.

Stewart said: "We will be reviewing our dress code when we've had appropriate time to do so, but our current dress code will remain for May. Our stewards have been briefed to apply sensible judgement around dress code for the Boodles May festival. The dress codes that we have across our hospitality and premium areas are to uphold the expectations of existing racegoers."

On the Sandown incident, Stewart said: "Headlines like that are not going to help us at all as it leads to an elitist flavour of the sport and, from what I've seen so far, it's extremely welcoming. I think racecourses need to look at their dress codes if we want the sport to be healthy and to continue to encourage people into it."

Louise Stewart: the new chief executive at Chester Race CompanyCredit: Chester Race Company

Crowds will return to the popular May meeting for the first time since 2019 in large numbers, although demand for the three-day fixture, starting on Wednesday, is not at pre-Covid levels.

Stewart said: "Purchasing trends have changed significantly since before the pandemic and we're noticing customers purchasing later, and currently we're not seeing the same level of demand as 2019 for general admission areas, but we've seen increased demand across our premium enclosures and those wanting to upgrade their raceday.

"We're looking towards a strong attendance across the three days and it's vitally important to have crowds back at Chester."

It has been a volatile time at Chester with Stewart taking over as Chester Race Company's chief executive from Richard Thomas, who was dismissed last May from a position he held for more than 20 years for "misuse of company resources", while head of racing Andrew Morris also left after ten years in the job with Andrew Tulloch brought in as clerk of the course.

Stewart, formerly chief executive of Alexandra Palace in London, is new to racing but can draw on a wealth of industry experience from CRC directors such as Charles Barnett and Lisa Hancock, the former chief executives at Ascot and Newmarket respectively.

"There are a lot of transferable skills with my background and I'm extremely lucky to have an expert board and brilliant team to help me in getting to know the racing industry," Stewart said.

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