3rd April 2025

The Cardinal Stakes

The Cardinal Stakes is a prestigious conditions one-mile race for three year old horses that takes place here at Chelmsford each Spring. This is an exciting day for racing and always grantees exceptional racing for all.

£100,000 in prize money

For Racing Enthusiasts

For racing enthusiasts, The Cardinal Stakes promises excitement, tradition, and the prospect of witnessing future racing legends in the making. In recent years it has served as the final qualifier for the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering a last chance for European horses to secure a spot in the renowned Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

From 2025, the race will no longer be part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, but the winner will receive an entry to the American Turf Stakes on the Kentucky Derby card.

The day promises to be fun for all with high stakes racing and with hospitality options available why not treat you and your friends or loved ones to a carvery style dinner in our Fairwood Brasserie or if fine-dining is more your scene our premier restaurant, The Club Restaurant and Lounge offers a 5 course tasting menu while also overlooking the final stretch.

Date	Horse	Jockey	Trainer
2019	Minister (USA)	Silvestre De Sousa	Andrew Balding
2021	Fundamental	Robert Havlin	John & Thady
2022	Dark Moon Rising (IRE)	Kevin Stott	Kevin Ryan
2023	Bold Act (IRE)	Harry Davies	Charlie Appleby
2024	Bracken's Laugh (IRE)	Finley Marsh	Richard Hughes
2025	Detain (IRE)	Kieran Shoemark	John & Thady Gosden

2025 Winner

Is there a dress code?

Our general admission tickets in most cases provide you with access to the racecourse grounds including the Grandstand and Sports Bar. These areas allow for a casual dress code. However, the racecourse does request that standards are maintained.

We kindly request that you do not wear the following:
• Beach flip flops or backless sandals/shoes*
• Team shirts
• Vests and bare tops
• Swimwear

*Please note that these are not recommended due to the nature of our site and health and safety. If you do wear these it will be at your own risk.

When dining in the Fairwood Brasserie Restaurant, all general admission standards apply with the addition that we ask that you do not wear any form of shorts or trainers.

Find Out More.

Are there additional security measures?

We conduct thorough and relevant risk assessments for each and every event held at Chelmsford City Racecourse and put robust safety measures in place in line with our security policies. We follow government guidance on the number of security staff required for events.

During horseracing events, we have stewards in line with BHA (British Horseracing Authority) requirements.

For large events such as Ladies Day, we monitor the perimeter of the racecourse with robust security. With so many safety measures in place including bag searches and ID scan systems, you can enjoy your day at the racecourse confidently.

Can I book a table in the restaurant?

There are hospitality packages available in The Club Restaurant & Lounge, The Fairwood Brasserie. We also have packages available in our marquees, The Queen Charlotte Marquee and The Parade Ring Marquee.

Events in Essex