It’s exactly 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.
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 2021 the Festival returns to normal after the disruption of last year, so Epsom Oaks/Ladies Day will take place on June 4th while Derby Day will be run on June 5th.
We have the latest Epsom betting tips and previews on these pages from our team of expert writers, including award-winning jockey Hayley Turner. 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.
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Here are some of the featured races to take place on the first day of the Epsom Derby Festival, with full previews and tips on our Epsom Oaks Day page.
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 can see what horse 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. A ‘listed’ race means that the participating horses sit just below the graded stakes level and are not suitable for Group races. Don’t worry: 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 promises 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. Normally the highlight of Ladies Day, MansionBet has the latest Epsom Oaks betting tips and odds.
Event finished – Check out the latest marketsHere are some of the major races taking place on Day 2 of the Epsom Derby Festival. We will have a full breakdown of the latest runners and riders plus tips on the Epsom Derby Day page of the blog.
The Princess Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 3 flat race run over a one mile and 113-yard distance. Open to fillies and mares aged three and over, this year’s race only has three-year-olds in contention. In 2019, Anna Nerium gave trainer Richard Hannon his 1,000th win with a blistering run round the outside.
The highlight of the day gets underway at 4:55 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 marketsBringing the action at Epsom Downs to a close is the Zebra Handicap Stakes. This is Class 3 race over seven furlongs. In a Class 3 race, horses must have a handicap rating of between 76 and 95. Check MansionBet for the latest betting odds from Epsom.
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.
MansionBet has markets on all the action from Epsom Downs. Make sure you don’t miss out on the action on Derby Day. Here are a few examples of the special offers you can unlock today:
Find the deal, meet the criteria, and the bet is on the house. Our marketing team will highlight a particular sport or event and spice it up with an optional Free Bet. To claim it, all you have to do is play. It’s on the house – grab it!
No need to worry about a last-minute price shift, when you lock in your bet with the MansionBet Best Odds Guaranteed feature. If the starting price is higher, when the racing starts, our Best Odds Guarantee means you will automatically get the best odds. The early bird bet still gets the worm.
Earn a £5 Free Bet for every 3/1+ winner you back on selected races each weekend – there’s no limit to how many Free Bets you can claim.
You can get up to £25 back as a Free Bet if your horse is Beaten by a Head or less on selected races during the flat season.
Keep it fresh. Keep it exciting. Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest offers at MansionBet. Head along to our promotions page and see what’s on offer today.
MansionBet is the perfect partner for a day at the races. Whether it’s Aintree, Cheltenham, or Epsom, we’ve got a fabulous mix of markets and action that won’t be beaten.
As well as great odds, we also have a reputation for diligent customer care. In fact: we have won awards for it. We take it very seriously. Licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, MansionBet is a tried, trusted, and tested brand, with a rock-solid reputation for peerless customer support and competitive pricing.
Any questions: feel free to contact our 24/7 customer support team. Enjoy Epsom and check out all the latest odds and betting tips with MansionBet.
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