Epsom Downs Racecourse

Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse near Epsom, Surrey, England. The "Downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs. The course, which has a crowd capacity of 120,000,^[1] is best known for hosting The Derby Stakes which has come to be widely referred to as the Epsom Derby (however, 'Epsom' is not part of the title of the race), 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 Oaks Stakes (also widely referred to as the Epsom Oaks) for three-year-old fillies, and the Coronation Cup for horses aged four years and upwards. All three races are Group 1 races and run over the same course and distance.

History

The first recorded race was held on the Downs in 1661,^[2] although a local burial list of 1625 refers to "William Stanley who in running the race fell from his horse and brake his neck" so it is likely that racing was established much earlier than that.^[3] Epsom is referenced in the diary of Samuel Pepys in 1663 and Charles II is said to have been a racegoer there.^[3] By 1684, Epsom had a clerk of the course and from 1730 was hosting twice yearly race meetings.^[3]

At Epsom on 3 May 1769 the famous racehorse 'Eclipse' had the first of his many victories in an undefeated career on the turf.

In the summer of 1779 Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby organised a race for himself and his friends to race their three-year-old fillies. He named it the Oaks after his estate. The race became so successful that in the following year 1780 a new race was added for three-year old colts and fillies - the Derby, widely known now as the Epsom Derby. In 1784 the course was extended to its current distance of a mile and a half and Tattenham Corner was introduced.^[4]

Henry Dorling, step-father to cookery writer Mrs Beeton, was a Clerk of the Course at Epsom, appointed in 1840.^[5]

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.^[6]

In 1952 the racecourse was featured extensively in the film Derby Day set around the 1952 Epsom Derby.^[7]

In 2009 the racecourse opened the new Duchess's Stand. It has a capacity of 11,000 and has a 960m² (10 000 sq ft) hall. It can be used for banqueting, conferences and exhibitions. The estimated cost of the new stand, which was built by Willmott Dixon, was £23.5 million.^[8]

On 4 June 2011, in their first public outing since returning from their Seychelles honeymoon, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (along with The Queen, William's brother, Prince Harry, and Catherine's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton) attended the 2011 Epsom Derby at the track.^[9]

Description

The racecourse is between Epsom, Tadworth, and Langley Vale. As it is in a public area, people can watch the Derby free, and this meant that the Derby used to be the most attended sporting event of the year. It 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).

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 who use the facility, including Simon Dow and Laura Mongan (the only female trainer at Epsom).

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 British Royal Train on race days.

Notable races

Other races

• Epsom Dash

• 

  Epsom Grandstand in the 1830s

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  Epsom Grandstand in 1846

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  The 5 furlong marker

References

Bibliography

• Holland, Anne (1991). Classic Horse Races. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0-356-19708-5. 

External links

• Official site
• Course guide on GG.COM
• Course guide on At The Races

Coordinates: 51°18′35″N 0°15′20″W / 51.30972°N 0.25556°W / 51.30972; -0.25556

Borough of Epsom and Ewell Towns, villages and hamlets Epsom Ewell Langley Vale Stoneleigh Parks Epsom Common Epsom Downs Horton Country Park Nonsuch Park Places of worship St Mary's Church, Ewell Education Blenheim High School Epsom College Epsom and Ewell High School Ewell Castle School Glyn School Kingswood House School Laine Theatre Arts North East Surrey College Of Technology Rosebery School for Girls Transport Epsom Downs railway station Ewell West railway station Horton Light Railway Stoneleigh railway station Buildings and structures The Ashley Centre Epsom Downs Racecourse Epsom Playhouse Fitznells Manor Horton Hospital Long Grove Hospital Manor Hospital St. Ebba's Hospital West Park Hospital, Epsom Sport Ebbisham Sports Club Epsom & Ewell F.C. Sutton & Epsom RFC