The Oaks is traditionally run on a Friday and this is one of the five classics which is open to three-year-old fillies. The race takes place over a distance of one mile and four furlongs, with the cream of the crop arriving in Surrey to take their place in this wonderful race.
The Derby is the most famous flat horse race in England and this is again over one mile and four furlongs. The Derby first started in 1780 and is open to three-year-old horses who can be colts or fillies. The prize money is always enormous for the Oaks and the Derby.
The Derby is Britain’s Richest Horse Race
The Derby Stakes is also known as the Investec Derby and this Group 1 encounter always takes place on the first Saturday in June. The total prize money on offer means that it’s regarded as Britain’s richest horse race, with the Derby also forming the middle leg of the Triple Crown along with the 2000 Guineas and the St Leger.
Diomed was the first Derby winner in 1780 and the race has been run at Epsom ever since. Masar was the winner in 2018, giving trainer Charlie Appleby his first triumph in the race, although Aidan O’Brien has been victorious on five occasions in recent times.
The most successful jockey in the Derby has been Lester Piggott who enjoyed nine wins on various horses in this race, while Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling hold the record for enjoying the most victories as a trainer.
How to Bet on the Derby and Oaks
Many people enjoy placing a bet on the Epsom Derby or the Epsom Oaks and there are any number of bookmakers who will offer you the chance to strike a bet on the action. You will generally find a handful of runners and it’s then your job to select the horse that you think will pass the post first.
When it comes to the Oaks, this race takes place on the Friday directly before the first Saturday in June, with punters generally looking to place a bet on a horse that has performed well on its most recent outing.
The same applies to the Derby, although it’s often worth looking at the various betting odds to understand the horse’s probable chance of winning the race in question. Some punters like to follow a particular trainer or jockey, while others simply go for the name of the horse they like best.
Epsom Hosts Other High-Profile Races
While the Oaks and Derby are clearly the most famous races to take place at Epsom Downs, there are also several other great races that take place over that Friday and Saturday each year.
On the Friday, betting customers can enjoy the Woodcote Stakes, the Coronation Cup and the Surrey Stakes in addition to the Oaks. The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 race in its own right, with horses who are four and older able to participate in a race which is over a distance of one mile and four furlongs.
St Nicholas Abbey was a three-time winner of the Epsom Coronation Cup between 2011-2013, while Lester Piggott won the race on nine different occasions. Aidan O’Brien has won as a trainer eight times and Sue Magnier has triumphed on the same number of times as an owner.
In addition, there is an April meeting at Epsom where you can enjoy races such as the City and Suburban Handicap, the Great Metropolitan Handicap and the Blue Riband Trial Stakes.
The Royal Family Regularly Attend Epsom
It’s a common sight to see members of the Royal Family attending Epsom, particularly on Derby Day where Her Majesty the Queen is often in attendance along with several other members of the family.
The Derby racecourse is unique in that it’s not a complete circuit but instead represents a U shape where there are chutes for the start of a five, six or seven furlong encounter.
There is an ascent to the top of a hill before a wide sweeping left turn known as Tattenham Corner. The horses then descend to the straight and the half-mile straight goes down a hill to the finish.