42
EPSOM DERBY
Where?
Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5LQ, U.K.
When?
Annually, during the first weekend in June.
Significance:
Locally they call it the Derby Stakes. Around the world, it is known as the Epsom Derby, pronounced “dar-bee” in jolly old England, one of the most prestigious flat thoroughbred horse races internationally. The Epsom Downs Racecourse in Epsom, Surrey, England, hosts the annual event.
While the first race at the Downs took place in 1661, the events in the summer of 1879 would lead to its current moniker. Edward Smith-Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby, coordinated a race for himself and his friends to race their three-year-old fillies over 1.5 miles. Originally named the Oaks, the race took on a different identity when Earl and Sir Charles Bunbury flipped a coin to decide whose name would be attached to the competition. While Sir Charles lost the flip, Diomed, his horse, won the first race held in 1780. The namesake earl would finally secure his first victory in 1787 with a horse named Sir Peter Teazle.
Today, the famed one-mile, four-furlong race serves as a significant stepping stone for the jockeys and their horses to compete in large international races. Those include France’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Breeder’s Cup in the United States. The Epsom Derby also serves as the all-important second leg of England’s Triple Crown with 2,000 Guineas being the first and St. Leger filling out the trio.
Who attends?
Horse-racing enthusiasts in the United Kingdom and around the world.
How to get there?
The racecourse is located a few minutes from Epsom Town Centre at B290 Epsom Downs Road. Alternatively, you can find it off Junction 9 of the M25. During the racing season, AA signs will mark all major routes to get to the track.
Tickets:
Tickets for the Grandstand Enclosure and Tattenham Straight Enclosure go quickly. Online ticket sales are restricted for some areas. To purchase tickets not available online, contact the Ticket Office at +44 (0)1372 470 047.
For secondary ticket access, consider:
GoTickets, Inc.
2345 Waukegan Road, Suite 140
Bannockburn, IL 60015-1552
Toll-Free: 1-800-775-1617
Fax: (919) 481-9101
E-mail: sales@gotickets.com
www.gotickets.comAccommodations:
Holiday Inn Express at Epsom Downs Epsom Downs
Note: A contemporary budget hotel located at the Downs. You cannot get any closer to the race.
The Chalk Lane Hotel
Note: You just may hear the hooves against the tarmac from your room. Nestled between the racecourse and the town center.
Nonsuch Park Hotel
355-357 London Road
Ewell, Epsom
Surrey, KT17 2DE, U.K.
Phone: +44 (0)208 393 0771
Fax: +44 (0)208 393 1415
www.nonsuchparkhotel.comNote: Close to the racecourse and directly opposite the historic Nonsuch Park on London Road.
On-Site Hospitality:
Epsom Downs Racecourse hospitality will satisfy your friends and clients with great food and wine. The facilities are impressive and only enhance the thrilling action and party atmosphere of race day. They provide various options based on your needs.
Travel Packages:
If you are going to travel to this event, I would recommend using a reliable company to work with you on making the necessary arrangements. The suppliers listed in this book have solid references and are by far the most trusted in the business. Below are some of the organizations to try for this Top 100 Must See Sporting Event.
Premiere Corporate Events
14 Penn Plaza, Suite 925
New York, NY 10122
Phone: (212) 695-9480
Fax: (212) 564-8098
Toll-Free: 1-877-621-5243
E-mail: requests@tseworld.com
www.tseworld.comwww.pcevents.com
Premiere Sports Travel
201 Shannon Oaks Circle, Suite 205
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 481-9511
Fax: (919) 481-1337
Toll-Free: 1-800-924-9993
E-mail: sales@sportstravel.com
www.sportstravel.com
Dining:
Rubbing House
34 Langley Vale Road
Epsom Downs
Surrey, KT18 5LJ, U.K.
Phone: +44 (0)1372 745 050
www.rubbinghouse.comNote: Nothing gets you closer to the race than this restaurant. Enjoy traditional dishes with fine wines and champagne.
A Roma Restaurant
67-69 High Street
Epsom
Surrey, KT17 1RX, U.K.
Phone: +44 (0)208 393 8810
Note: Proving that it is possible to get great, authentic Italian food in the United Kingdom.
C’est La Vie
17 High Street
Epsom
Surrey, KT17 1SB, U.K.
Phone: +44 (0)208 394 2933
Note: This family-run restaurant is known for great food and friendly service.
Airports:
Gatwick Airport (thirty-two minutes from Surrey, England)
Heathrow Airport (LHR) (fifty-two minutes from Surrey, England)
Sports Travel Insider’s Edge:
Best way to watch the action:
Enjoy a picnic while you watch the Derby. The Tattenham Picnic Area offers race goers a delicious picnic located next to the Grandstand Enclosure. Picnic tables are placed on a spacious lawn with access to bars and bookmakers.
Best place to get up close:
Get your hands on the Derby Festival Two Day Badge. You gain access to the Queen’s Stand on Ladies Day and Derby Day, the most exclusive area at Epsom. It provides the best view opposite the winning post. Only bearers of the badge are allowed to enter.
Best travel tip:
The dress code for the Queen’s Stand mandates that gentlemen wear either black or grey morning dress (formal wear) with a top hat, or what they call Service Dress. Ladies are requested to wear formal day dress or a pants suit with a hat. The Grandstand is a more smart casual style, but jeans are discouraged. Your best bet is to dress up no matter where you sit.
Notable Quotes:
“Our essential site services are paving the way for a new Grandstand and conference facilities that will help to generate the necessary year-round income to allow Epsom to continue to host The Derby Festival, one of the world’s most famous sporting events.”
—GARY TURNER, Chief Executive of General Demolition
“My heart seemed to stop beating at the furlong pole and I had to pinch myself passing the post. It had all been so easy. I had expected a dog fight but it was as smooth as an oil painting. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I will never forget this day as long as I live.”
—FRANKIE DETTORI, on winning the Epsom Derby
“When I find myself in the tribune of Epsom on the first Wednesday of June, a few seconds before the start of the two minutes and a half, the longest and most tense of the year, I know with certainty that I would not like to be in that moment in any other part of the world; this is something that one may assure in very few occasions and it is worthwhile to live three hundred and sixty five days to enjoy again such plenitude.”
—FERNANDO SAVATER, author of The Play of the Horses
Relevant Websites: