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It’s more than 240 years since the first running of the Derby Stakes on Thursday, May 4, 1780. Since then, the Derby has earned its place as Britain’s richest horse race and the highlight of the flat racing calendar.
| What | Epsom Derby Festival 2024 |
| Where | Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom Downs, Epsom KT18 5LQ |
| When | 31st May-June 1st 2024 |
The Derby is a Group 1 race, open to thoroughbred three-year-old colts and fillies. It is the most prestigious of the five classics and the middle leg of the Triple Crown, alongside the 2000 Guineas, in Newmarket, and the St Leger Stakes, in Yorkshire.
In 2024 the Epsom Oaks/Ladies Day will take place on Friday 31st May with Derby Day on Saturday 1st June.
We have the latest Epsom betting tips and previews on these pages from our team of expert writers. MansionBet has all the action from the glorious Epsom Downs Racecourse, in the heart of Surrey. Saddle up and get ready to race.
The Derby is open only to three-year-olds which means trainers get only one shot – per horse – at winning Britain’s richest horse race.
It’s also the only chance for any thoroughbred breeder to grab the elusive Triple Crown; a feat so rare, the last time it happened was in 1970 when the mighty Nijinsky won it. Perhaps, it was his diet of raw eggs and Irish Stout that clinched it.
Here are some of the featured races to take place on the first day of the Epsom Derby Festival:
Open to two-year-old thoroughbreds, the Woodcote Stakes is a conditions flat horse race. The race is run over a distance of six furlongs and three yards. Colts carry 9 st 0 lb, fillies get an allowance of 5 lb. The race was first run in 1794. Sponsored by the British European Breeders’ Fund, this is where the forward-thinking punter is able to spot a horse who might be a contender for the following year’s Derby. Easy to ignore this race but the canny horse racing fan will be taking notes.
Romping home in second place, on the running order, is the Surrey Stakes. Named after the county where the stunning Epsom Downs Racecourse is located, the Surrey Stakes is a listed flat horse race and is the penultimate contest on the schedule.
A ‘listed’ race means that the participating horses sit just below the graded stakes level and are not suitable for Group races. From a betting point of view, listed and handicap races can create some unexpected results and great action. This seven furlong and three yard romp rarely fails to deliver.
Run over a one mile and two furlongs distance, this is a class 2 race open to horses aged three and over. The oldest runners in this field are aged seven. If you fancy a punt on a more experienced horse, this could be the race for you. Each horse will be allotted a weight, based on its rating,
This classic is the first of the day’s two Group 1 races. Run over a distance of one mile and four furlongs, it is a race for three-year-old fillies. The longer distance means that any potential winner will need deep reserves of stamina and staying power. This is undoubtedly the highlight of Ladies Day and MansionBet has the latest Epsom Oaks news, previews and tips.
Event finished – Check out the latest markets
Here are some of the major races taking place on Day 2 of the Epsom Derby Festival:
The Princess Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 3 flat race run over a one mile and 113-yard distance. It is open to fillies and mares aged three and over, although some of the recent renewals have boasted an entire field of three-year-olds.
The highlight of the day gets underway at 4:30 pm. It’s a test of thoroughbred three-year-old colts and is raced over a mile-and-a-half. MansionBet has the latest Epsom Derby race previews and betting tips.
Event finished – Check out the latest markets
Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse set in the North Downs of Surrey. Horse races have taken place on the site since at least 1661. Samuel Pepys came to take the restorative waters and Charles II was a keen racegoer.
The course is in a public area which enables people to watch the Epsom Derby for free. It also makes it one of the most attended sporting events of the year, with more than 130,000 visitors annually.
The racecourse is U-shaped, with different chutes according to the length of the race. The final half-mile straight has a slight downhill, often resulting in some flattering sprint times.
