Epsom Downs
is a grade-one racecourse near Epsom, Surrey, England. The "downs" referred to in the name is the North Downs. It is best known for hosting the Epsom Derby, the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies, over a mile and a half (2400m). It also hosts the Epsom Oaks for three-year-old fillies, the Coronation Cup for all ages over the same distance and the Epsom 'Dash', the fastest five furlong (1000m) race in world giving Epsom the appropriate name 'The Fastest Place On Turf.'
The Racecourse is between Epsom, Tadworth, and Langley Vale. As it is in a public area, people could watch the Derby for free, and this meant that the Derby used to be the most attended sporting event of the year. However it is now becoming increasingly difficult to do this, and almost impossible to get a good view for free.
A difficult, undulating course, Epsom presents a stern challenge for inexperienced horses and a true test of stamina for those that might previously have contested the 2,000 Guineas Stakes over a mile (1600m).
The area is served by the Epsom Downs railway line as well as Tattenham Corner railway station which is where Queen Elizabeth II alights from the Royal Train on race days.
Epsom Downs Grandstand was also used as St. Petersburg Airport during the filming of the James Bond film, GoldenEye.
Epsom Downs houses the third largest racehorse training facility in the country. The facility is managed by the Epsom trainers society. There are 11 trainers which use the facility including Simon Dow & Laura Mongan (the only female trainer in Epsom)
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EPSOM DOWNS RACECOURSE TICKETS
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History
The first recorded race was held on the Downs in 1661 and continued until the summer of 1780.
Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, organised a race for himself and his friends to race their three-year-old fillies over one and a half miles. He named it the Oaks after his estate. The race became so successful that the following year a new race was added for colts and fillies. In 1784
Tattenham Corner was introduced when the course was extended to its current distance of a mile and a half.
Henry Dorling, step-father to cookery writer
Mrs Beeton, was the first Clerk to the Course, appointed in 1840.
In 1913 the
suffragette Emily Davison threw herself in front of
King George V's horse
Anmer, bringing him down. Davison was badly injured and died four days later.
In 2009 the racecourse opened the new Duchess's Stand. It has a capacity of 11,000 and has a 960m² hall and can be used for banqueting, conferences and exhibitions. The estimated cost of the new stand was £27.6 million.
Notable races
- Diomed Stakes
- Coronation Cup
- Epsom Oaks
- Surrey Stakes
- Woodcote Stakes
- Princess Elizabeth Stakes
- Epsom Dash
- Epsom Derby
- Blue Riband Trial Stakes