aerial photograph of Chester Racecourse ( the Roodee ) England UK. Chester Racecourse is the worlds oldest racecourse still in use and has a history going back to 1539. During the Roman period the area was the towns harbour but this later silted up and allowed horse racing to start in the 16th century. Chester's Mayor who gave permission for the first race was Henry Gee and his name is the origin of the expression gee gee for horses. .