Epsom Racecourse Guide

The Derby at Epsom takes place on the first Saturday in June and is rightly regarded as the jewel in Britain's Classic crown.

The mile-and-a-half showpiece has identified some of the finest colts of their respective generations through the centuries.

The two-day Derby Festival also includes The Oaks for fillies' over the same course and distance a day earlier.

The racecourse stages fixtures throughout the flat turf season and the course’s characteristics are as famous as the horses, jockeys and trainers that compete at the Surrey venue.

Here's our guide to Epsom Racecourse.

What	The Derby & Oaks
Where	Epsom Racecourse, Surrey
When	Friday 31st May & Saturday 1st June, 2024
How to watch	bet365 live Sports Streaming Service, ITV & Racing TV

About Epsom

The famous Epsom Downs has been staging racing since as far back as 1661 and has been home to The Derby since it was inaugurated in 1780.

The racecourse is located between Epsom, Tadworth and Langley Vale and, as it is in a public area, people can watch The Derby free of charge in the vast expanse that is the Epsom Downs. 

By virtue of that free to enter public viewing point, the registered 'capacity' crowd for Derby Day is approximately 130,000.

About the racecourse

It has often been said that Epsom's famous switchback course is the ultimate test of the thoroughbred.

Over the Classic trip in the Derby and Oaks, the runners initially face a steep uphill climb after exiting the starting gates followed by a demanding turning descent, they turn right then left and, after rounding Tattenham Corner into the home straight, they have to overcome the famously pronounced camber of Epsom.

Finally, a stiff and testing furlong separates the field from the winning post and immortality as winner of the Derby or Oaks.

Tattenham Corner and Epsom's camber are famous and are said to put the best colts and fillies' to the acid test in terms of their ability to remain balanced in the heat of battle.

Famous Races

The undoubted highlight of Epsom's calendar is the two-day Derby Meeting, which encompasses the world's oldest Classic in its traditional slot on the first Saturday of June.

The Derby is preceded a day earlier by The Oaks, the fillies' Classic run over the same mile-and-a-half journey around Epsom.

Other feature races over the two days include the Group 1 Coronation Cup, the Diomed Stakes, the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, Woodcote Stakes and the iconic speed test that is the five-furlong 'Epsom Dash' – blink and you'll miss it as that one is often run in a sub-55-second time.

The Epsom season begins in April when the Blue Riband Trial Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter offers some would-be Derby contenders a chance to get a workout at the track.

Epsom have further meetings across the summer, including the August Bank Holiday, before drawing the curtain on their season in early October with a card that includes the Apprentices' Derby.

Hospitality

Epsom offers a variety of hospitality options. These include The Derby Suite Restaurant with a much sought after location with private balconies to view the action, while enjoying an unrivalled fine dining experience, as well as the Classic Lounge Experience – with delicious, laid-back dining in a relaxed atmosphere and views of the course. Both are available across a range of fixtures at Epsom Downs.

Things are a little different at The Derby Festival, with extra options on the hospitality front for Epsom's flagship event.

The Winning Post is a contemporary styled marquee located on the inside track next to the finishing line, giving unrivalled views of the racing, while The Views is a stylish new addition to The Derby Festival residing on the first floor of the Duchess's Stand where the private balcony offers sensational views of the course and the London skyline.

The Tattenham Straight Marquee is a stunning area with a relaxed atmosphere positioned on the famous Tattenham Straight - a pivotal point as the horses approach the final furlong of the race.