The Betfred Epsom Derby Festival returns to Epsom Downs Racecourse on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 June 2026 for two days of world-class flat racing. The centrepiece is the Derby itself, the oldest and most prestigious Classic in British horse racing, first run in 1780 and now in its 247th edition. With defending champion trainer Aidan O’Brien chasing a record-extending 12th victory, and a fresh crop of three-year-old colts vying for the title, the 2026 renewal promises to be one of the highlights of the summer sporting calendar.
What is the Epsom Derby Festival?
The Epsom Derby Festival is a two-day meeting held annually in early June at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, England. It is staged by The Jockey Club and currently sponsored by Betfred. The meeting revolves around two Group 1 Classics: the Oaks on Friday, restricted to three-year-old fillies, and the Derby on Saturday, open to three-year-old colts and fillies over one mile and four furlongs.
The Derby is regarded as the supreme test of the thoroughbred racehorse. Its unique course demands speed, stamina, balance, and temperament in equal measure. Runners face a steep uphill climb from the start, a sweeping left-handed descent around Tattenham Corner, and a gruelling final furlong on a pronounced camber. Horses that lack agility or composure rarely prevail. Victory in the Derby remains the most coveted prize in flat racing and a defining moment in any trainer’s or jockey’s career.
Friday’s card is headlined by the Betfred Oaks, one of five British Classics and the fillies’ equivalent of the Derby. Ladies’ Day, as it is widely known, also features several high-quality supporting races and is one of the social highlights of the British summer.
When is the Epsom Derby Festival 2026?
The 2026 Betfred Derby Festival takes place on Friday 5 June and Saturday 6 June. The Betfred Oaks is the feature race on Friday, while the Betfred Derby is scheduled for 3.30pm on Saturday 6 June. Each day features a full card of seven or eight races, with the first race typically going off at around 1.30pm. Gates open earlier in the morning for those who wish to secure the best spots on the Downs.
Where is the Epsom Derby Festival?
The festival is held at Epsom Downs Racecourse, situated on the chalk downs above the town of Epsom in Surrey, approximately 15 miles south of central London. The racecourse has a capacity of approximately 130,000, including the open Downs area on the inside of the track where spectators can watch for free.
Epsom’s left-handed, horseshoe-shaped track is unlike any other in world racing. The one-mile-four-furlong Derby course rises sharply from the start before sweeping downhill around Tattenham Corner and into the home straight. The pronounced camber in the final furlongs, combined with the undulations throughout, makes this one of the most demanding courses in the sport. The five-furlong straight course is reputed to be the fastest in the world due to its downhill gradient. The Queen Elizabeth II Stand provides the main grandstand facilities, while the Tattenham Corner end of the course offers a more relaxed, open-air atmosphere.
Key Contenders
The ante-post market for the 2026 Derby has been taking shape since the conclusion of the two-year-old season. Among the early favourites are The Lion In Winter and Ruling Court, both of whom showed Classic-quality form as juveniles. Pierre Bonnard has attracted strong ante-post support, though stride analysis suggests he may prove best at shorter distances than the Derby’s demanding mile and a half.
Benvenuto Cellini, currently available at longer odds, has been highlighted by some analysts as a mispriced contender with strong stamina credentials. New Zealand, another with an unexposed profile, could thrive once stepped up in trip. The picture will become much clearer after the spring trial races, including the Dante Stakes at York, the Lingfield Derby Trial, and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial in Ireland, all of which serve as key stepping stones to Epsom.
The defending champion trainer is Aidan O’Brien, who saddled Lambourn to a dominant front-running victory in the 2025 Derby. Lambourn, ridden by Wayne Lordan, won by three and three-quarter lengths from Lazy Griff, with Tennessee Stud in third. It was O’Brien’s record-extending 11th Derby triumph and a first in the race for Lordan. O’Brien is certain to have multiple runners again in 2026. In the Oaks, his 2025 winner was Minnie Hauk, ridden by Ryan Moore.
How to Watch
The Epsom Derby Festival is broadcast free-to-air in the United Kingdom on ITV1, with coverage also available to stream live on ITVX via web, app, and smart TV. ITV’s coverage typically begins in the early afternoon on both days, with extended programming on Derby Day. For early-morning build-up, ITV Racing’s The Opening Show airs on ITV4 from 9am. BBC Radio 5 Live provides live commentary on Derby Day for those on the move.
Racing TV, the subscription channel run by the Racecourse Media Group, shows every race across the two days and can be accessed via television, online, or mobile app. In the United States, FanDuel TV carries live coverage. The race reaches a truly global audience through more than 40 international broadcasters across 170 countries, including ESPN and Disney+ in Latin America, SuperSport in Africa, FanCode in India, Sportsnet in Canada, and HKJC TV in Hong Kong.
History and Records
The Derby was first run at Epsom in 1780, founded by the 12th Earl of Derby, and has been staged every year since, with only wartime relocations to Newmarket disrupting its home at the Downs. It is the original “Derby”, the race from which all other Derbys around the world take their name. The Oaks predates it by one year, having first been run in 1779.
The most successful jockey in Derby history is Lester Piggott, who won the race a remarkable nine times between 1954 and 1983. His winners included some of the greatest names in turf history: Nijinsky (1970), Sir Ivor (1968), and The Minstrel (1977). Piggott’s final Derby victory came aboard Teenoso in 1983, when he was 47 years old. Among trainers, Aidan O’Brien holds the all-time record with 11 victories, including Galileo (2001), Camelot (2012), Australia (2014), City Of Troy (2024), and Lambourn (2025).
The race has produced some of the sport’s most iconic moments: Shergar’s record ten-length demolition in 1981, Frankie Dettori’s emotional victory aboard Authorized in 2007, and the remarkable front-running display of Serpentine in the behind-closed-doors renewal of 2020. The Derby remains the race every owner, trainer, and jockey dreams of winning.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 2026 Betfred Derby Festival are available through The Jockey Club’s official website. General admission to the Upper Tattenham Enclosure starts at around £40, offering trackside viewing at Tattenham Corner. The Grandstand Enclosure is priced at approximately £60, with access to the main grandstand and betting facilities. The Lonsdale Enclosure, at around £220, provides premium seating and covered viewing.
Hospitality packages range from the 1780 package at £525 per person, which includes a three-course lunch, afternoon tea, and an inclusive bar, to The Derby Suite at £900 per person for an exclusive dining experience on the top floor of the Queen Elizabeth II Stand. Early-bird discounts and group offers for six or more tickets are available in selected enclosures. Children under 18 receive free entry on both days in general admission areas.
For those who prefer a more informal experience, the Epsom Downs themselves are open to the public free of charge, offering a unique vantage point on the inside of the course. This tradition dates back centuries and gives the Derby its distinctively inclusive, festival-like atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Epsom Derby Festival 2026 start?
The festival begins on Friday 5 June 2026 with Ladies’ Day and the Oaks. The Derby is run at 3.30pm on Saturday 6 June.
Where is the Epsom Derby Festival held?
Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, England, approximately 15 miles south of central London.
How can I watch the Epsom Derby?
In the UK, the Derby is shown live and free on ITV1 and ITVX. Racing TV carries full coverage for subscribers. In the US, FanDuel TV broadcasts the race. Over 40 international broadcasters carry the event worldwide.
Who won the Epsom Derby in 2025?
Lambourn, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Wayne Lordan, won the 2025 Derby by three and three-quarter lengths from Lazy Griff.
Can I watch the Derby for free?
Yes. The race is broadcast free-to-air on ITV1 in the UK. You can also watch from the Epsom Downs, which are open to the public at no charge on race days.