Welcome to our official guide to Epsom Racecourse. In this section we explore this great flat racing racecourse in detail, looking at its history, the main races – including the Derby and the Oaks, a guide to the track, hotel picks, fixtures, travel information, betting guides and even the weather!
Epsom, or Epsom Downs to give it its full and correct name, is a name synonymous with the sport of horse racing. Owned by the Jockey Club, it is one of few racecourses in the UK that maintains a fantastic relationship with her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who attends annually to watch The Derby.
The ‘Downs’ referred to in Epsom Downs’ name are the Epsom Downs, part of the North Downs, a ridge of chalk hills that stretch from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. The Epsom Downs overlook the course, and as a public area, people can sit there to watch the races entirely for free. Including the capacity of the Downs, the racecourse can attract up to 130,000 people per day.
Epsom is not the oldest racecourse in the UK, but its history is rich and varied – perhaps best known as the course where suffragette Emily Davison threw herself in front of King George V’s horse Anmer in protest. The feel of prestige and rich culture continues to this day, with the course itself proud to present its history and often offering tours.
Unusually, Epsom is a U-shaped track with chutes for the start of races over five, six or seven furlongs.
Today, Epsom is a multi-purpose events venue and used as frequently for music concerts as it is horse racing. It also boasts a popular conferencing and business suite, is one of the area’s most popular dog walking spots (post-noon, that is, when the horses finish their training) and an array of Michelin-starred menus and dining/hospitality options for visitors to the course.
Racecourse History
The first recorded race held at Epsom Downs Racecourse was in 1661, but it’s believed that horse racing was happening in the area much earlier – as burial records from some thirty years before refer to horse racing accidents. Charles II was a keen fan of racing at Epsom Downs and the course even gets a mention in the diary of Samuel Pepys in 1663. By 1730, a twice-yearly race calendar was established and staff hired.
In 1779, the 12th Earl of Derby, Edward Smith-Stanley, arranged a race to entertain his friends, named The Oaks. The race became so popular that four years later the track was extended to a mile and a half, with Tattenham Corner installed, and The Oaks remains one of Epsom’s most prestigious events today.
In 1913, suffragette Emily Davison infamously threw herself in front of the King’s horse to protest for equal voting rights. She was not instantly killed, but she was severely hurt: and died several days later. She did not live to see her dream of votes for women become a reality less than a decade later.
The racecourse underwent vast redevelopment in the early 00s, and in 2009 the new Duchess Stand opened to the public. With a capacity of 11,000 alongside restaurants, bars and conferencing facilities, the grandstand really upgraded the course’s offering to compete with others.
In June 2011, the (then) newest wedded Royal couple, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and attended the Derby in their first public appearance since their honeymoon in the Seychelles.
Main Races and Events
Undoubtedly, the main event of the year at Epsom Downs is the Epsom Derby; full name dependent on the corporate sponsor. A group 1 flat race open to three-year-old colts and fillies, it runs on the first Saturday of June annually and with the Downs’ public attendance, is often the most attended sporting event of the year. It is Britain’s richest horse race and the most prestigious of the five ‘classics’. The leading jockey at the Derby is Lester Piggott, who has picked up nine wins spanning 1954-1983.
Derby
Oaks
Coronation Stakes
Epsom Dash
Epsom Racecourse Map
Courtesy of At The Races.
Epsom is a left handed rack track and is undulating with stiff uphill climbs and sharp descents. It is what is concerned to be a ‘U’ shaped course rather than a circle or oval. Races up to eight and a half furlongs are very sharp, meaning those ridden close to the pace fair well. The five-furlong course is fastest in the world, downhill virtually throughout.
Epsom Racecourse Address
Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom Downs
Epsom
KT18 5LQ
How To Get To Epsom Downs Racecourse
By Car –
By Train – Epsom Station is a 10-minute car ride from the racecourse, with shuttle buses running on major event days/nights. Tattenham Corner station and Epsom Downs station are both less than a mile away.
Metro bus – services from the town centre to Tattenham Corner station frequently and coach services are active on race days.
By Air – For those travelling by air, London Gatwick Airport is less than 20 miles and London Heathrow less than 30.
Hotels Near Epsom Racecourse
The closest hotel to the course is just across the road from its grounds – the Holiday Inn Express Epsom Racecourse. Breakfast and WiFi is included in all package deals, and there’s a variety of room and dining options to choose from. Epsom town centre itself isn’t big enough to have a great deal of accommodation, but there is some to choose from a car ride away from the racecourse should you wish to stay.
Hotels nearby include:
Premier Inn Epsom Centre
Premier Inn Epsom South
Travelodge Epsom Central
Whichever option you go for, we suggest booking through Booking.com as below:
New Customers Only. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Full T&C's Apply
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Epsom Downs Racecourse Fixtures
To be confirmed.
Epsom Weather
Punters and race-goers love to keep up with the weather to predict going conditions, especially for the Epsom Derby, as well as making sure what they wear is suitable. Here’s the current weather forecast for Espsom Downs Racecourse: EPSOM WEATHER
Betting Shops Local to Epsom Racecourse
Totepool betting kiosks can be found throughout all enclosures on the course. However, the independent bookmakers at Epsom really do make the experience; so nip by the trackside and hedge your bets with them if you’re able. They’re usually found outside the Duchess Grandstand or by the rails, but at the Derby, betting capacity is expanded to fit all enclosures so everyone can have a flutter.
In the nearby town centre of Epsom, you’ll find branches of chain bookies William Hill and Betfred, but their odds are rarely competitive compared to those you’ll find in the ground on-the-day.
Other Events
The Oaks remains a well-attended and enjoyed event at Epsom Downs racecourse, alongside the Princess Elizabeth Stakes and Coronation Cup. Aside from horse racing, Epsom Downs now also hosts an annual ‘Summer Nights Rewind’ festival that combines live music and DJ sets with an afternoon of horse racing and hospitality. Themed nights thus far have included 70s disco, 90s RnB and 00s dance anthems!
Summary
To come.
Other Racecourses
Our team as of May 2020 have reviewed these racecourses that you can also bet on:
By Train – Epsom Station is a 10-minute car ride from the racecourse, with shuttle buses running on major event days/nights. Tattenham Corner station and Epsom Downs station are both less than a mile away.
Metro bus – services from the town centre to Tattenham Corner station frequently and coach services are active on race days.
By Air – For those travelling by air, London Gatwick Airport is less than 20 miles and London Heathrow less than 30.
🏇How long is Epsom Racecourse?
It is an unusal racetrack in that it is U shaped rather than a oval or circular. The longest races ran at Epsom Downs is over 1 mile and 4 furlongs.
🏇What station is Epsom Racecourse?
Epsom Station is a 10-minute car ride from the racecourse, with shuttle buses running on major event days/nights. Tattenham Corner station and Epsom Downs station are both less than a mile away.
🏇What are the big races at Epsom Downs racecourse?
The main races at Espom include The Derby, The Oaks, The Coronation Stakes and Dash.
