Chester Cup

The Chester Cup is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 2 miles, 2 furlongs and 140 yards (3,749 metres) at Chester in May.

Chester Cup

Class	Handicap
Location	Chester Racecourse Chester, Cheshire, England
Inaugurated	1824
Race type	Flat / Thoroughbred
Sponsor	The Tote
Website	Chester
Race information
Distance	2m 2f 140y (3,749m)
Surface	Turf
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	Four-years-old and up
Weight	Handicap
Purse	£170,080 (2025) 1st: £86,632

Chester Cup

2025
East India Dock	Caballo De Mar	Zoffee

Previous years
2024
Zoffee	Emiyn	Zanndabad
2023
Metier	Zoffee	Call My Bluff
2022
Cleveland	Coltrane	Rajinsky
2021
Falcon Eight	The Grand Visir	Hochfeld

2020-2011
2019
Making Miracles	Who Dares Wins	Whiskey Sour
2018
Magic Circle	Fun Mac	Who Dares Wins
2017
Montaly	Yorkidding	Fun Mac
2016
No Heretic	Nakeeta	Silver Concorde
2015
Trip To Paris	Quick Jack	Zafayan
2014
Suegioo	Angel Gabrial	Communicator
2013
Address Unknown	Ingleby Spirit	Tominator
2012
Ile De Re	Overturn	Gulf of Naples
2011
Overturn	Tastahil	Mystery Star

2010-2001
2010
Mamlook	Tastahil	Halla San
2009
Daraahem	Ajaan	Halla San
2008
Bulwark	Som Tala	Tilt
2007
Greenwich Meantime	Fair Along	Enjoy The Moment
2006
Admiral	Vinando	Greenwich Meantime
2005
Anak Pekan	Swift Sailor	Contact Dancer
2004
Anak Pekan	Misternando	Big Moment
2003
Hugs Dancer	Big Moment	Knavesmire Omen
2002
Fantasy Hill	Rainbow High	High And Mighty
2001
Rainbow High	High And Mighty	Prairie Falcon

2000-1991
2000
Bangalore	Ansar	Fantasy Hill
1999
Rainbow High	Generosity	Invermark
1998
Silence In Court	Turnpole	Leonato
1997
Top Cees	Etterby Park	Thaljanah
1996
Merit	Daraydan	Corradini
1995
Top Cees	Harlestone Brook	The Flying Phantom
1994
Doyce	Moidart	Welshman
1993
Rodeo Star	Jack Button	Welshman
1992
Welshman	Bardolph	Line Drummer
1991
Star Player	Nomadic Way	Taroudant

1990-1988
1990
Travelling Light	Rambo Castle	Andorra
1989
Grey Salute	Travel Mystery	Ala Hounak
1988
Old Hubert	Tom Sharp	Trust The Irish

History

The event was established in 1824, and it was originally called the Tradesmen's Cup.^[1] It was initially a limited handicap with a minimum weight of 8 st 2 lb.

For a period the race was known as the Tradesmen's Plate.^[2] During this time it was open to horses aged three or older.

The race was renamed the Chester Trades' Cup in 1874.^[3] From this point it was often referred to as the Chester Cup,^[4] and that became its usual title in 1884.^[5]

The Chester Cup was formerly contested over 2 miles, 2 furlongs and 77 yards.^[6] It was abandoned in 1969,^[7] and extended by 20 yards in 1970.^[8]

The distance of the race was changed to 2 miles, 2 furlongs and 117 yards in 1992. It was increased to its present length in 1994.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

• Leamington – 1857, 1859
• Dalby – 1865, 1866
• Pageant – 1877, 1878
• Dare Devil – 1892, 1893
• Chivalrous – 1922, 1923
• Sea Pigeon – 1977, 1978
• Top Cees – 1995, 1997
• Rainbow High – 1999, 2001
• Anak Pekan – 2004, 2005

Leading jockey (4 wins):

• Sam Darling – Independence (1831), Colwick (1832), Pickpocket (1833), Cardinal Puff (1839)
• Lester Piggott – Sandiacre (1958), Aegean Blue (1966), Major Rose (1968), John Cherry (1976)

Leading trainer (4 wins):

• Barry Hills – Arapahos (1980), Rainbow High (1999, 2001), Daraahem (2009)

Winners since 1890

• Weights given in stones and pounds.

Year	Winner	Age	Weight	Jockey	Trainer	SP	Time
1890	Tyrant	5	7-00	Seth Chandley	W Walters	1002.5 5/2 F	4:07.40
1891	Vasistas	5	8-03	George Barrett	John Porter	1002.25 9/4 F	4:07.00
1892	Dare Devil	4	7-05	Thomas Mullen	W I'Anson jr	1005.5 11/2	4:08.60
1893	Dare Devil	5	8-01	Jim Fagan	W I'Anson jr	1004.5 9/2
1894	Quaesitum	4	8-00	Tommy Loates	F Cole	1002.5 5/2 F
1895	Kilsallaghan	5	7-09	Fred Finlay	J Jewitt	1020 20/1	4:05.20
1896	The Rush	4	8-05	Otto Madden	J Waugh	1008 8/1	4:08.60
1897	Count Schomberg	5	8-10	Samuel Loates	W Leader	1002 2/1 JF	4:07.00
1898	Up Guards	4	6-13	Seth Chandley	A Sydney	1033 33/1	4:06.40
1899	Uncle Mac	5	7-07	Fred Finlay	F Lynham	1012.5 100/8	4:10.40
1900	Roughside	7	7-05	Tod Sloan	Sandever	1007 7/1	4:12.00
1901	David Garrick	4	8-10	Lester Reiff	G Blackwell	1010 10/1	4:06.20
1902	Carabine	4	7-05	Monty Aylin	J Hornsby	1007 7/1	4:03.60
1903	Vendale	4	6-06	Charlie Trigg	W Duke	1010 10/1
1904	Sandboy	4	6-02	William Griggs	W T Robinson	1004.5 9/2	3:56.20
1905	Imari	4	7-04	William Saxby	S Pickering	1012.5 100/8	4:02.80
1906	Feather Bed	4	6-09	Arthur Templeman	J East	1002.75 11/4 F	4:01.80
1907	Querido	4	8-00	John Reiff	R Carter Jr.	1002.25 9/4 F	4:00.00
1908	Glacis	4	7-08	Frank Wootton	George Lambton	1006.5 13/2	4:13.00
1909	Santo Strato	4	9-00	Otto Madden	J Watson	1004 4/1 F	3:58.80
1910	Elizabetta	4	6-11	Stanley Wootton	Alec Taylor Jr.	1008 8/1	4:06.40
1911	Willonyx	4	8-02	Billy Higgs	Sam Darling	1007 7/1	4:04.20
1912	Rathlea	7	7-05	Charlie Foy	T Coulthwaite	1008 8/1	3:57.80
1913	The Guller	4	6-06	James Ledson	J Osborne	1020 20/1	4:13.80
1914	Aleppo	5	8-04	Charlie Foy	Alec Taylor Jr.	1003 3/1 F	3:58.80
1915	Hare Hill	5	7-10	Steve Donoghue	W T Robinson	1005.5 11/2	4:07.00
1916	no race 1916–18
1919	Tom Pepper	4	7-04	Joe Shatwell	J Rogers	1012.5 100/8	4:00.00
1920	Our Stephen	4	7-01	Arthur Balding	V Hobbs	1006 6/1	4:14.60
1921	Meeting Abandoned due to National Coal Strike
1922	Chivairous	4	7-05	George Smith	Harry Cottrill	1050 50/1	4:02.00
1923	Chivairous	5	8-11	Michael Beary	Harry Cottrill	1007.1428571429 100/14	4:04.80
1924	Rugeley	4	6-04	Henry Leach	R Moreton	1010 10/1	4:14.00
1925	Spithead	6	8-07	Tommy Weston	George Lambton	1006 6/1	4:10.80
1926	Hidennis	5	7-00	Joseph Caldwell	Harvey Leader	1005.5 11/2	4:10.80
1927	Dark Japan	4	8-11	Charlie Smirke	Richard Dawson	1004 4/1 JF	4:09.60
1928	St Mary's Kirk	5	7-00	William Alford	Atty Persse	1025 25/1	3:59.80
1929	First Flight	4	7-07	Freddie Fox	F Leader	1009 9/1	4:15.00
1930	Mountain Lad	5	7-11	Freddy Lane	R Gooch	1020 20/1	4:09.80
1931	Brown Jack	7	9-06	Michael Beary	Ivor Anthony	1012.5 100/8	4:03.80
1932	Bonny Brighteyes	4	7-03	Joe Dines	M D Peacock	1020 20/1	4:25.00
1933	Dick Turpin	4	7-10	Gordon Richards	Martin Hartigan	1009 9/1	4:04.20
1934	Blue Vision	7	7-11	Freddie Fox	Ivor Anthony	1016.6666666667 100/6	4:05.00
1935	Damascus	4	7-01	Humphrey Foster	George Lambton	1010 10/1	4:00.00
1936	Cho-sen	4	7-02	Joe Dines	W Higgs	1014.2857142857 100/7	4:05.40
1937	Faites Vos Jeux	6	7-04	Peter Maher	Harry Cottrill	1008 8/1	4:00.60
1938	Mr Grundy	4	7-05	Clifford Richards	Joe Lawson	1010 10/1	3:59.60
1939	Winnebar	5	7-12	Gordon Richards	F Templeman	1012.5 100/8	4:03.40
1940	no race 1940–45
1946	Retsel	4	7-09	Clifford Richards	George Todd	1004 4/1	4:01.60
1947	Asmodee II	4	9-01	Tommy Burn	William Halsey	1010 10/1	4:19.60
1948	Billett	4	8-03	Billy Nevett	Harry Wragg	1005 5/1	3:59.20
1949	John Moore	5	6-10	Jock Carson	H Weatherill	1025 25/1	4:04.40
1950	Heron Bridge	6	9-07	Tommy Burns	D Rogers	1005.5 11/2 F	4:10.60
1951	Wood Leopard	4	7-05	Jack Egan	Jack Colling	1020 20/1	4:11.20
1952	Le Tellier	7	8-11	Geoff Littlewood	Geoffrey Barling	1006 6/1	4:19.00
1953	Eastern Emperor	5	9-02	Bill Rickaby	Jack Jarvis	1002 2/1 F	4:01.60
1954	Peperium	4	8-06	Edgar Britt	Charles Elsey	1006.5 13/2	4:03.20
1955	Prescription	4	8-09	Bill Rickaby	Jack Jarvis	1008 8/1	4:14.50
1956	Golovine	6	8-02	Peter Robinson	Harry Wragg	1004.5 9/2 F	4:03.40
1957	Curry	6	8-00	Josh Gifford	Sam Armstrong	1002.75 11/4	3:59.20
1958	Sandiacre	6	8-05	Lester Piggott	W Dutton	1007.5 15/2	4:07.00
1959	Agreement	5	9-04	Harry Carr	Cecil Boyd-Rochfort	1003 3/1 F	4:08.40
1960	Trelawney	4	7-11	Frankie Durr	Syd Mercer	1016.6666666667 100/6	3:59.60
1961	Hoy	5	8-00	Geoff Lewis	Syd Dale	1007.5 15/2	4:24.20
1962	Golden Fire	4	7-09	David Yates	Doug Marks	1007 7/1	4:10.20
1963	Narratus	5	7-05	David Yates	Dave Thom	1008 8/1	4:06.80
1964	Credo	4	8-03	Paul Cook	Paddy Prendergast	1004 4/1 F	4:03.60
1965	Harvest Gold	6	7-11	Frankie Durr	Tommy Robson	1005.5 11/2	4:16.40
1966	Aegean Blue	4	8-07	Lester Piggott	Fulke Johnson Houghton	1022 22/1	4:13.20
1967	Mahbub Aly	6	8-06	Paul Cook	Dick Hern	1007 7/1	4:15.80
1968	Major Rose	6	8-07	Lester Piggott	Ryan Price	1002.75 11/4 F	4:17.00
1969	Abandoned due to waterlogging
1970	Altogether	4	7-05	Walter Bentley	W Murray	1033 33/1	4:06.20
1971	Random Shot	4	8-01	Frankie Durr	Arthur Budgett	1006 6/1	4:01.00
1972	Eric	5	7-00	Alan Cressy	Vernon Cross	1022 22/1	4:12.00
1973	Crisalgo	5	7-07	Walter Bentley	J A Turner	1012 12/1	4:08.01
1974	Attivo	4	7-05	Roger Wernham	Cyril Mitchell	1006 6/1	4:06.78
1975	Super Nova	5	7-07	Ernie Johnson	Charlie Hall	1005.5 11/2	4:01.92
1976	John Cherry	5	9-04	Lester Piggott	Jeremy Tree	1005 5/1	4:24.95
1977	Sea Pigeon	7	8-08	Mark Birch	Peter Easterby	1007 7/1	4:09.89
1978	Sea Pigeon	8	9-07	Mark Birch	Peter Easterby	1010 10/1	4:04.47
1979	Charlotte's Choice	4	8-04	Willie Carson	Bill Wightman	1010 10/1	4:13.40
1980	Arapahos	5	9-05	Steve Cauthen	Barry Hills	1003.5 7/2	4:06.13
1981	Donegal Prince	5	8-04	Paddy Young	Paul Kelleway	1012 12/1	4:09.50
1982	Dawn Johnny	5	8-08	Walter Swinburn	Michael Stoute	1014 14/1	4:03.95
1983	no race [a]
1984	Contester	4	8-02	Geoff Baxter	Peter Cundell	1022 22/1	4:03.13
1985	Morgans Choice	8	7-11	Willie Carson	John Hill	1006.5 13/2	4:07.47
1986	Western Dancer	5	9-00	Paul Cook	Con Horgan	1014 14/1	4:10.49
1987	Just David	4	9-08	Michael Roberts	Alec Stewart	1010 10/1	3:57.26
1988	Old Hubert	7	7-08	Taffy Thomas	Alan Bailey	1033 33/1	4:34.58
1989	Grey Salute	6	8-07	Pat Eddery	John Jenkins	1007 7/1	3:57.99
1990	Travelling Light	4	9-01	Alan Munro	Lynda Ramsden	1002.5 5/2 F	4:10.18
1991	Star Player	5	8-10	Frankie Dettori	John Baker	1004.5 9/2	4:13.41
1992	Welshman	6	7-08	Jimmy Quinn	Michael Blanshard	1011 11/1	3:57.96
1993	Rodeo Star	7	7-13	Nicky Carlisle	Nigel Tinkler	1009 9/1	4:02.51
1994	Doyce	5	7-10	Gary Bardwell	Robert Williams	1014 14/1	4:03.18
1995	Top Cees	5	8-08	Kieren Fallon	Lynda Ramsden	1008 8/1	4:03.35
1996	Merit	4	7-10	Jimmy Quinn	Paul Cole	1005.5 11/2	4:06.63
1997	Top Cees	7	8-11	Jimmy Fortune	Lynda Ramsden	1005.5 11/2	4:23.18
1998	Silence in Court	7	9-00	Allan Mackay	Alan Bailey	1006.5 13/2	4:06.63
1999	Rainbow High	4	9-00	Michael Hills	Barry Hills	1004 4/1 F	4:00.64
2000	Bangalore	4	7-10	Gary Bardwell	Amanda Perrett	1016 16/1	4:03.00
2001	Rainbow High	6	9-13	Richard Hughes	Barry Hills	1004.5 9/2	4:01.23
2002	Fantasy Hill	6	8-09	Pat Eddery	John Dunlop	1008 8/1	4:00.20
2003	Hugs Dancer	6	8-11	Dean McKeown	James Given	1009 9/1	4:04.89
2004	Anak Pekan	4	8-02	Philip Robinson	Michael Jarvis	1002 2/1 F	4:10.90
2005	Anak Pekan	5	9-06	Philip Robinson	Michael Jarvis	1016 16/1	4:14.60
2006	Admiral	5	8-01	John Egan	Tim Pitt	1028 28/1	4:03.34
2007	Greenwich Meantime	7	9-02	Paul Hanagan	Richard Fahey	1014 14/1	3:58.89
2008	Bulwark	6	9-04	Jim Crowley	Ian Williams	1033 33/1	4:06.57
2009	Daraahem	4	9-00	Richard Hills	Barry Hills	1007 7/1	4:04.01
2010	Mamlook	6	8-12	Richard Hughes	David Pipe	1007 7/1 F	4:03.74
2011	Overturn	7	8-13	Eddie Ahern	Donald McCain	1005.5 11/2	3:59.39
2012	Ile de Re	6	8-11	Jim Crowley	Donald McCain	1010 10/1	4:10.20
2013	Address Unknown	6	9-00	Jamie Spencer	Richard Fahey	1012 12/1	4:05.31
2014	Suegioo	5	9-04	Ryan Moore	Marco Botti	1010 10/1	4:07.85
2015	Trip To Paris	4	8-09	Graham Lee	Ed Dunlop	1010 10/1	4:12.87
2016	No Heretic	8	8-13	Jamie Spencer	Nicky Henderson	1011 11/1	4:10.48
2017	Montaly	6	9-06	Oisin Murphy	Andrew Balding	1016 16/1	4:03.37
2018	Magic Circle	6	9-03	Fran Berry	Ian Williams	1008 8/1	4:02.90
2019	Making Miracles	4	9-00	Franny Norton	Mark Johnston	1016 16/1	4:33.09
	no race 2020 [b]
2021	Falcon Eight	6	9-10	Frankie Dettori	Dermot Weld	1007.5 15/2	4:07.11
2022	Cleveland	4	9-00	Ryan Moore	Aidan O'Brien	1006 6/1	4:04.13
2023	Metier	7	9-01	Saffie Osborne	Harry Fry	1005 5/1	4:15.48
2024	Zoffee	8	8–07	Harry Davies	Hugo Palmer	1009 9/1	3:59.16
2025	East India Dock	4	8-08	Harry Davies	James Owen	1002.25 9/4 F	4:05.76

1. The 1983 running was abandoned because of a waterlogged course
2. The 2020 running was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom^[9]

Earlier winners

• 1824: Doge of Venice
• 1825: Hymettus
• 1826: Brutandorf
• 1827: Grenadier
• 1828: Fylde
• 1829: Halston
• 1830: Felt
• 1831: Independence
• 1832: Colwick
• 1833: Pickpocket
• 1834: The Cardinal
• 1835: Birdlime
• 1836: Tanworth
• 1837: General Chasse
• 1838: King Cole
• 1839: Cardinal Puff
• 1840: Dey of Algiers
• 1841: Cruiskeen
• 1842: Alice Hawthorn
• 1843: Millepede
• 1844: Red Deer
• 1845: Intrepid
• 1846: Corranna
• 1847: St Lawrence
• 1848: Peep-o-Day-Boy
• 1849: Malton
• 1850: Mounseer
• 1851: Nancy
• 1852: Joe Miller
• 1853: Goldfinder
• 1854: Epaminondas
• 1855: Scythian
• 1856: One Act
• 1857: Leamington
• 1858: Vanity
• 1859: Leamington
• 1860: St Albans
• 1861: Ben Webster
• 1862: Tim Whiffler
• 1863: Asteroid
• 1864: Flash in the Pan
• 1865: Dalby
• 1866: Dalby
• 1867: Beeswing
• 1868: Paul Jones
• 1869: Knight of the Garter
• 1870: Our Mary Ann
• 1871: Glenlivat
• 1872: Inveresk
• 1873: Field Marshal
• 1874: Organist
• 1875: Freeman
• 1876: Tam o'Shanter
• 1877: Pageant
• 1878: Pageant
• 1879: Reefer
• 1880: Fashion
• 1881: Windsor
• 1882: Prudhomme
• 1883: Biserta
• 1884: Havock
• 1885: Merry Prince
• 1886: Eastern Emperor
• 1887: Carlton
• 1888: Kinsky
• 1889: Mill Stream

See also

• Cheshire portal

• Horse racing in Great Britain
• List of British flat horse races
• Recurring sporting events established in 1824 – this race is included under its original title, Tradesmen's Cup.