With the summer on our doorstep, flat racing is taking centre stage in the world of horseback riding sports. And of course, you can’t talk about flat racing in Britain without mentioning the Derby Stakes.
Often referred to as Epsom Derby outside of Britain, domestically it is usually called simply “the Derby”, showing its significance in the country’s horse racing tradition. Classified as a Group 1 flat horse race, Epsom Derby is considered the most prestigious of the five British Classics.
Epsom Derby is conducted on the first Saturday of June and is a part of a two day Epsom Derby Festival, and it is about to open its gates once again this year to the colourful crowd of horse racing professionals and horse racing enthusiasts. If you enjoy the thrill of the race, with history of sports being made right in front of your eyes, the 2025 edition of the Epsom Derby Festival should absolutely be on your must-attend list of the season.
Key Dates & Timings
As usual, this year the festival will be conducted over two days at the Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey. Day one is a dedicated Ladies’ Day that includes the renowned Epsom Oaks race (officially the Betfred Oaks). Day two is known as the Derby Day as it features the Epsom Derby (officially the Betfred Derby) among other races.
Day One: Ladies’ Day
When: Friday, 6 June 2025
Gate opening time: 11:00 am
First race of the day starts: 1:30 pm
The Betfred Oaks starts: 4:00 pm
Last race of the day starts: 5:10 pm
Day Two: Derby Day
When: Saturday, 7 June 2025
Gate opening time: 11:00 am
First race of the day starts: 1:00 pm
The Betfred Derby starts: 3:30 pm
Last race of the day starts: 5:40 pm
The daily race cards for the Festival are as follows:
Friday, 6 June – Ladies’ Day
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:30 pm | THE NYETIMBER SURREY STAKES (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) (CL 1) | 7f 3y | 3YO £75,000.00 |
| 2:05 pm | THE BETFRED BRITISH EBF WOODCOTE STAKES (CONDITIONS RACE) (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | 6f 3y | 2YO £75,000.00 |
| 2:40 pm | THE BETFRED CORONATION CUP (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 1m 4f 6y | 4YO+ £450,000.00 |
| 3:15 pm | THE BETFRED NIFTY 50 HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 2f 17y | 4YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 4:00 pm | THE BETFRED OAKS (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 1m 4f 6y | 3YO £550,000.00 |
| 4:35 pm | THE TRUSTATRADER HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 1m 113y | 4YO+ £75,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 5:10 pm | THE DEBENHAMS HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 7f 3y | 3YO+ £75,000.00 Rating 0-100 |
Saturday, 7 June – Derby Day
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:00 pm | THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES (CLASS 1) (Sponsored by ODDSCHECKER) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m 113y | 3YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 1:35 pm | THE BETFRED DIOMED STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m 113y | 3YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 2:10 pm | THE BETFRED 3YO “DASH” HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 5f | 3YO £75,000.00 Rating 0-95 |
| 2:45 pm | THE ASTON MARTIN “DASH” HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (CL 2) | 5f | 3YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 3:30 pm | THE BETFRED DERBY (In Honour of His Highness Aga Khan IV) (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 1m 4f 6y | 3YO £1,500,000.00 |
| 4:15 pm | THE ENCORE LIFESTYLE NORTHERN DANCER HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 4f 6y | 4YO+ £75,000.00 Rating 86-105 |
| 5:00 pm | THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WORLD POOL LESTER PIGGOTT HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 2f 17y | 3YO £75,000.00 Rating 0-100 |
| 5:40 pm | THE JRA TOKYO TROPHY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 6f 3y | 4YO+ £75,000.00 Rating 86-105 |
How to Buy Tickets
Open to a motley crowd of race goers, Epsom Derby Festival offers a wide range of ticket options. From a place in the stands to a full VIP experience with fine dining and an after party, everyone will feel welcome at the racecourse. You can buy tickets for one or both days of the race.
| Ticket | Price | Access |
| Upper Tattenham | From £30.00 | Views of the finishing straight, the pivotal Tattenham Corner, access to food outlets & bars, bring a picnic |
| Derby Family Festival
(available on 7 June only) |
From £30.00 | Exclusive access to a bright and colourful, family friendly haven on the famous Hill, family friendly, free entertainment, bring a picnic, |
| Lonsdale Enclosure | From £45.00 | Views of the finishing straight, food and drink concessions, bring a picnic |
| Duchess Reserved Seating | From £50.00 | Everything you get with a Grandstand ticket + guaranteed seat for the day |
| Grandstand Enclosure | From £72.00 | Access to DJ after party, Parade Ring viewing, live entertainment, access to multiple food and drink options |
| Queen Elizabeth II Stand | From £145.00 | Prime access to Parade Ring & Winners Circle viewing, access to DJ after party, access to the Nyetimber terrace bar, finish line views |
| Cedric’s | From £220.00 | Access to Parade Ring via Grandstand Enclosure, exceptional views of the final furlong, finish line and grandstands, complimentary racecard, dedicated free parking (cp4a) and hillside entrance, access to dj after party, complimentary glass of Nyetimber on arrival |
If you are looking for a VIP experience, a number of hospitality establishments are ready to welcome you at the festival. Depending on your ticket, you will get full access either to the Grandstand Enclosure or both the Grandstand and Queen Elizabeth II Stand paired with a selection of culinary marvels and exquisite drinks.
Tickets are available at the Epsom Derby Festival official website.
Travel & Transport Guide
The address for the Epsom Derby Festival is Epsom Downs Racecourse, Tattenham Corner Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5LQ. You can reach your destination by various means of transportation.
Trains
There are three stations you can arrive at: Tattenham Corner, Epsom, and Epsom Downs. On the day of the Derby, the number of trains serving Tattenham Corner will increase from 2 to 6 per hour.
- To Epsom Station: take a train from London Victoria, Waterloo, or London Bridge. Trip duration is approximately 30 minutes.
- To Epsom Downs Station: take a train from London Victoria. Trip duration is about an hour. You can reach the stands by walking in 20 minutes.
- To Tattenham Corner Station: take a train from London Bridge. Trip duration is around an hour. You can reach the main enclosure by walking in 20 minutes.
Car or Taxi
You can purchase designated parking for the day. Once at the location, follow the yellow AA and racecourse specific signs to find the correct car park. Parking is available for cars and mini buses.
Taxi services are available from the train station. You are advised to use Car Park 8 for the drop off and pick up.
Shuttle Services
Shuttle buses from the train station operate on both days of the Festival between 9:30 am to 7:30 pm, with reduced services between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. You can buy the ticket on board. A single ticket costs £3, while a return ticket costs £5.
Feature Races at the Epsom Derby Festival
The Festival features 15 races, 7 on the first day and 8 on the second day. While the Oaks and the Derby are famous for allowing only 3 year old horses to compete, some of the featured races have different age requirements to cater to various interests of race goers.
The Epsom Oaks (Friday, 6 June 2025)
Conducted on the first day of the Epsom Festival, the Oaks is the highlight of the day. It is open to three year old fillies and is run over the distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards (2,420 metres).
The Oaks was inaugurated in 1779, a year before the Derby, making it the second oldest race among the Classics. It comes third in the season and is one of the top tier events for three year old fillies in the country.
Currently, there are 14 runners announced to compete in this year’s competition, with six of them trained by the legendary Aidan O’Brien. The jockeys for the race are still to be confirmed.
O’Brien’s charge Lake Victoria receives a lot of attention. She has been showing an impressive form in her earlier races, winning six out of the latest seven.
Desert Flower is another noteworthy contender everyone keeps talking about. Trained by Charlie Appleby, she has won five out of the latest five races she participated in.
The current full list of contenders and their trainers runs as follows:
- Desert Flower (Charlie Appleby)
- Falakeyah (Owen Burrows)
- Giselle (Aidan O’Brien)
- Go Go Boots (John and Thady Gosden)
- Island Hopping (Aidan O’Brien)
- Janey Mackers (David Menuisier)
- January (Aidan O’Brien)
- Lake Victoria (Aidan O’Brien)
- Minnie Hauk (Aidan O’Brien)
- Qilin Queen (Ed Walker)
- Revoir (Ralph Beckett)
- Trad Jazz (James Owen)
- Wemightakedlongway (Joseph P. O’Brien)
- Whirl (Aidan O’Brien)
The Epsom Derby (Saturday, 7 June 2025)
The race that gave the name to the entire event, the Epsom Derby is often – and very rightfully – referred to as the crown jewel of British flat racing. It is open to three-year-old colts and fillies and is run over the distance of one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards (2,423 metres).
The Derby was inaugurated in 1780, which makes it the third oldest of the Classics. As it is conducted the next day after the Oaks, it is the fourth Classics race of the season. Over time Epsom Derby became the most prestigious, once in a lifetime achievement in flat racing for three year olds.
At this point, there are 25 runners announced to compete in the race. Aidan O’Brien takes the lead once again, having five of his charges on the list. The jockeys for the race are still to be confirmed.
When it comes to the favourites in this race, the names of Aidan O’Brien and Charlie Appleby come up again.
The Lion in Winter, trained by Aidan O’Brien, showed stunning results on his debut race at Curragh. Later he reprised his success in Acomb Stakes at York in 2024. Unfortunately, he wasn’t as lucky at the Dante Stakes earlier this year. Yet, many believe he has all the chances to shine at the Derby.
Charlie Appleby’s Ruling Court won his debut race at the Maiden Stakes in 2024, but came third in the Acomb Stakes, letting The Lion in Winter take the first prize. However, he improved his results in 2025, winning both races he participated in.
Another colt trained by Aiden O’Brien, Delacroix, is also viewed among the favourites. With 4 first places and 3 second places in his record, he earned strong interest from the race goers and bookmakers. So far he has completed two races in the 2025 season, winning both of them.
As to the dark horses of this year’s Derby, a few names keep popping up. Stanhope Gardens, trained by Ralph Beckett, has been showing mixed results in his latest four races, but his trainer and racing manager believe he is in good form for the Derby. Other promising contenders to look out for are Tennessee Stud (trainer Joseph O’Brien) and Pride of Arras (trainer Ralph Beckett).
The current full list of contenders and their trainers runs as follows:
- Al Wasl Storm (Owen Burrows)
- Damysus (John and Thady Gosden)
- Delacroix (Aidan O’Brien)
- Green Storm (Charlie Johnston)
- Lambourn (Aidan O’Brien)
- Lazy Griff (Charlie Johnston)
- Luther (Charlie Fellowes)
- Nightime Dancer (Richard Hannon Jr.)
- Nightwalker (John and Thady Gosden)
- Opportunity (William Haggas)
- Pride Of Arras (Ralph Beckett)
- Puppet Master (Aidan O’Brien)
- Purview (Dermot K. Weld)
- Rogue Impact (James Owen)
- Rogue Millions (James Owen)
- Ruling Court (Charlie Appleby)
- Sea Scout (Simon and Ed Crisford)
- Shackleton (Aidan O’Brien)
- Stanhope Gardens (Ralph Beckett)
- Tennessee Stud (Joseph P. O’Brien)
- The Lion In Winter (Aidan O’Brien)
- Too Soon (Gary and Josh Moore)
- Tornado Alert (Saeed bin Suroor)
- Tuscan Hills (Raphael Freire)
- Wimbledon Hawkeye (James Owen)
Other Notable Races
Besides the Epsom Oaks and Epsom Derby featured as the highlight of their respective days at the Festival, there are more notable races that will keep your racing spirit elevated.
From the Betfred British Ebf Woodcote Stakes on 6 June, the only one allowing 2 year old fillies at Epsom, to various handicap races on both days, there will be no shortage of exciting competitions.
Betting at the Epsom Derby Festival
Horse race betting is one of the most popular types of betting in the UK. During the Epsom Derby Festival, punters will have access to bookmakers on the racecourse, and of course, will be able to place their bets online.
At 7bet, we offer a wide range of horse race betting markets both for domestic and international events.
Please note that odds for the Epsom Derby Festival will be available closer to the event date.
Some of the most popular horse betting markets include:
- Win: As the name suggests, you bet on the horse to come first to the finish line and win the event.
- Place: Your selected horse has to finish within the top two positions.
- Show: Your selected horse has to finish within the top three positions.
- Each way: Gives you the possibility to combine any two of the three traditional bets (win, place, show) to cover different outcomes.
- Forecast: The punter places a bet on the first two horses to reach the finish. The forecast bet is straight if the horses must come to the finish line in a specified order. The bet is reversed, or multi, if the specified horses can finish in any order.
- Tricast: Works with the same principle as the forecast bet, but the punter tries to predict the first three finishing horses. Both forecast and tricast bets are typically settled with the starting price (SP) of the winning horses.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
Past Winners
From 1780 when the Derby was inaugurated to this day, the history of the race holds many honourable names among its winners. The horses who won the Epsom Derby in the past 24 years were the following:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 2000 | Sinndar | Johnny Murtagh | John Oxx | Aga Khan IV |
| 2001 | Galileo | Michael Kinane | Aidan O’Brien | Magnier / Tabor |
| 2002 | High Chaparral | Johnny Murtagh | Aidan O’Brien | Magnier / Tabor |
| 2003 | Kris Kin | Kieren Fallon | Sir Michael Stoute | Saeed Suhail |
| 2004 | North Light | Kieren Fallon | Sir Michael Stoute | Ballymacoll Stud |
| 2005 | Motivator | Johnny Murtagh | Michael Bell | Royal Ascot Racing Club |
| 2006 | Sir Percy | Martin Dwyer | Marcus Tregoning | Anthony Pakenham |
| 2007 | Authorized | Frankie Dettori | Peter Chapple-Hyam | Al Homaizi / Al Sagar |
| 2008 | New Approach | Kevin Manning | Jim Bolger | Princess Haya of Jordan |
| 2009 | Sea the Stars | Michael Kinane | John Oxx | Christopher Tsui |
| 2010 | Workforce | Ryan Moore | Sir Michael Stoute | Khalid Abdullah |
| 2011 | Pour Moi | Mickael Barzalona | André Fabre | Magnier / Tabor / Smith |
| 2012 | Camelot | Joseph O’Brien | Aidan O’Brien | Smith / Magnier / Tabor / |
| 2013 | Ruler of the World | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien | Magnier / Tabor / Smith |
| 2014 | Australia | Joseph O’Brien | Aidan O’Brien | Smith, Magnier, Tabor, Khing |
| 2015 | Golden Horn | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | Anthony Oppenheimer |
| 2016 | Harzand | Pat Smullen | Dermot Weld | Aga Khan IV |
| 2017 | Wings of Eagles | Padraig Beggy | Aidan O’Brien | Smith / Magnier / Tabor |
| 2018 | Masar | William Buick | Charlie Appleby | Godolphin |
| 2019 | Anthony Van Dyck | Seamie Heffernan | Aidan O’Brien | Smith / Magnier / Tabor |
| 2020 | Serpentine | Emmet McNamara | Aidan O’Brien | Tabor / Smith / Magnier |
| 2021 | Adayar | Adam Kirby | Charlie Appleby | Godolphin |
| 2022 | Desert Crown | Richard Kingscote | Sir Michael Stoute | Saeed Suhail |
| 2023 | Auguste Rodin | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien | Tabor / Smith / Magnier / Westerberg |
| 2024 | City Of Troy | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien | Magnier /Tabor / Smith / |
The 2024 season didn’t start so well for the last year’s winner City of Troy. The bay colt was among the favourites for the 2000 Guineas Stakes, the first seasonal race of the British Classics. However, in the last quarter of the race he faded and came only ninth of the eleven contenders.
But the charge of the renowned trainer Aidan O’Brien took his rightful place at the top during the Epsom Derby. It took him and his jockey Ryan Moore some time to find their route, but both came to a brilliant finish and the champion title.
Ambiente Friendly came second by two and three-quarter lengths, while City of Troy’s stablemate Los Angeles finished third.
Derby Festival Records
Throughout its 245 years of history, Epsom Derby has seen its fair share of record achievements. Some of the most impressive results include:
- Fastest winning time (at Epsom): 2m 31.33s by Workforce (2010)
- Widest winning margin: 10 lengths by Shergar (1981)
- Leading jockey: Lester Piggott with 9 wins (1954, 1957, 1960, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1983)
- Leading trainer: Aidan O’Brien with 10 wins (2001, 2002, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024)
- Leading owner: Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor with 11 wins (2001, 2002, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024)
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org