Chester officially has the oldest operating racecourse in the world as it's awarded a Guinness World Record title

Chester Racecourse has been awarded a Guinness World Record title for being the oldest operating course in the world.

Richard Thomas, Chief Executive of Chester Race Company made the very special announcement earlier this week at a preview event for a pop-up exhibition to commemorate 480 years of racing at the Roodee, telling guests that Chester is now officially recognised by Guinness as the 'oldest racecourse still in operation'.

The Roodee was established as a racecourse in 1539 under decree of Mayor Henry Gee, whose name led to the use of the term 'gee gee' for horse racing.

Over the years it's become one of the busiest and most popular racecourses in the UK, playing host to famous faces, a number of racing industry firsts and welcoming thousands of visitors to the city.

And the accolade couldn't have come at a better time, as the racecourse celebrates its 480th birthday, ahead of another exciting season of racing.

Much of the racecourse's rich history will be revealed in the new exhibition which will be unveiled at Chester's Grosvenor Museum where members of the public can visit the pop-up event for free from today (April 20) until October 6 to learn about the history of the course and view artefacts and objects of interest.

Mr Thomas said: "We are absolutely delighted to be have been presented the title of oldest racecourse still in operation by Guinness World Records.

"The accolade couldn’t have come at a better time as we celebrate our 480th year on the Roodee and are about to begin another season of racing at Chester.

"We are so proud of the engaging, immersive experience we provide each raceday at Chester and believe the mix of atmosphere, colour and vibrancy we produce is second to none.”

And former England star Michael Owen, who is a frequent visitor to the Roodee as a racehourse owner and joint owner of Manor House Stables near Malpas, said:  “Owning a horse, the whole buzz that goes with it and having a runner at Chester, my home track, was the start of a love affair that lasts to this day."