Latest news with #DerbyFestival
Gulf Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Maximized bids to maintain unbeaten record in G2 July Stakes at Newmarket
Promising juvenile Maximized looks to confirm some strong form in the G2 July Stakes, with Arabian Crown and El Cordobes also tackling G2 company on the opening day of Newmarket's July Festival, on Thursday. Having made a successful introduction at Haydock Park, Maximized defeated subsequent Royal Ascot victor Havana Hurricane by a length and a half in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom Downs' Derby Festival. Trainer Charlie Appleby said: 'Maximized is two from two, stepping up from his novice to win nicely at Epsom. We gave him a break afterwards, as the plan was always to miss Royal Ascot, and he goes into this in great shape. He is on an upward curve and hopefully the one they all have to beat.' El Cordobes and Arabian Crown, both impressive winners on Newmarket's Rowley Mile course, step up in class for the G2 Princess Of Wales's Stakes. Following two runner-up finishes at Meydan, El Cordobes stormed to victory in a 12-furlong handicap at Newmarket's Guineas Festival, with runner-up French Master franking the form at Royal Ascot. El Cordobes made the switch to Stakes company soon after his Newmarket triumph, finishing third in both the G3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury and York's Listed Grand Cup. Arabian Crown looked a leading Classic contender following dominant G3 victories in the Ghaiyyath Zetland Stakes at Newmarket in 2023 and last year's Classic Trial at Sandown Park. Having missed the rest of 2024 through injury, the son of Dubawi has made two appearances so far this year, finishing fourth in Meydan's G2 Dubai City Of Gold and sixth in the G3 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown Park. Charlie Appleby said: 'El Cordobes is coming back in distance from York, where we feel he did not stay the 14 furlongs. He has a bit to find on the book but, back at this trip, he should be competitive, and the quick ground will be no problem. 'Arabian Crown has been gelded since his last start and stepping back up to a mile and a half will suit. If he can recapture some of his earlier form, he is sure to be a player.' Opera Ballo concedes weight all round as he heads three Godolphin contenders in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes. Following a disappointing sixth in the G3 Craven Stakes, the son of Ghaiyyath bounced back in a first-time hood with an authoritative victory in the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown Park. Charlie Appleby also saddles Newmarket handicap third Spectacular View, while Saeed bin Suroor is represented by Arabian Story, who was a game winner of the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. Charlie Appleby said: 'We were delighted to get Opera Ballo back on track in the Heron Stakes. He has a penalty to carry, but he has done very well since Sandown and we are hoping to use this as a building block towards a nice campaign in the second half of the season. It suits Spectacular View to be ridden prominently and he won't mind the ground or trip.' Saeed Bin Suroor said: 'Arabian Story came out of Ascot in good form and has been training well. This is another step up in class and I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on.' Meanwhile, Versatile four-year-old Think Big added another string to his bow with a swooping victory in the G3 Kelso Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday. Having seen his perfect streak on turf ended with a slow start in last month's G1 Jaipur Stakes, the Twirling Candy homebred excelled with the step up to a mile as he displayed his customary turn of foot to readily beat Intellect by a length. The Kelso Stakes is a traditional prep for the G1 Fourstardave Handicap over the same course and distance in early August, and victory there would earn Think Big a spot in the G1 Breeders' Cup Mile. Saturday's card at Saratoga also saw three-year-old filly Ragtime maintain her unbeaten record with a routine success in an allowance race. A debut winner at the same course last month, the daughter of Union Rags looks ready to test her credentials in Graded company.
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Aidan O'Brien claims amazing eleventh Derby victory as 50-1 shot finishes second
Lambourn, one of the few horses in the field to have already won at a mile and a half, led from start to finish in £1.5 million race at Epsom on Saturday The amazing Aidan O'Brien clinched his 11th victory in the Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday. The master trainer has dominated the Derby Festival, winning the Coronation Cup and Oaks on Friday, and saddled three colts in the £1.5 million Classic. The victories of Jan Brueghel and Minnie Hauk 24 hours earlier were their trainer's tenth and 11th wins in the respective races. Stable jockey Ryan Moore partnered those two winners and chose favourite Delacroix in the Derby with Wayne Lordan on Lambourn and Colin Keane on The Lion In Winter. But coming down the hill to Tattenham Corner it was evident that Moore had his work cut out on Delacroix who had just two behind him. Up front Lordan was determined to make full use of Lambourn's stamina, which he confirmed when winning the Chester Vase over the Derby trip. And once his jockey kicked for home in the straight, it was clear he wasn't going to be caught. Lambourn stretched away to record a three and three quarter length triumph from 50-1 outsider Lazy Griff, running for 150 members of the Middleham Park Racing syndicate, with Tennessee Stud, trained by Aidan O'Brien's son Joseph third. Lambourn, returned at odds of 13-2, delivered the Ballydoyle maestro's 32nd success in Epsom's three Group 1 races. O'Brien said: 'Wayne gave him an incredible ride. He is a great fella, done so much hard work over the years. Everybody knew what he was going to do. Wayne knew he'd stay so he was going to go forward. 'This horse is uncomplicated, genuine and committed. His runs have been very good this year. He was second to Delacroix, then he went and won very impressively at Chester. Ryan loved him in Chester but obviously couldn't be on them all. He is probably an Irish Derby horse and he will get further.' He added: 'Ryan said he got taken out of it early, up the hill I think he got bumped and he was back and he said his chance was over from halfway. Colin said he felt at the top of the hill he wasn't going forward. Wayne was forward and he wasn't going to stop. He got the fractions 100 per cent perfect.' Lordan, stable number two at Ballydoyle, was riding his first Derby winner at the ninth attempt. 'I thought anybody who got to me would have to stay well and that would be tough for them,' he said. 'It's one of the greatest races for any jockey. I work for Aidan, Ballydoyle and Coolmore so I am in a lucky position that I get to ride a horse like this.'
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Epsom security stop Derby pub drinkers staging race over track
A group of 14 tried to stage an impromptu race over the Derby course after an afternoon spent in a local hostelry, a week before the big race A group of pub drinkers have been thwarted in a cheeky attempt to stage a pony and trap race over the course of the £1.5million Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs. Although the world famous racecourse is owned by the Jockey Club, the track is located in a public space with the infield area free to visitors, even on racedays. Security is always heightened in the lead-up to the Derby Festival to ensure no damage occurs to the racing surface. A potentially serious problem was averted after there was incursion on Saturday last week, seven days before the richest race of the year. Epsom general manager Jim Allen explained: 'Because this is all free access, there were 14 people with ponies and carts here on Saturday afternoon. 'They came around the inside road and got onto the track at about the one mile, two marker, where they were trotting down to the Derby start in preparation to race. 'A security guard spotted them, drove over in a truck and got them all off within half a furlong, near the entrance to George Baker's stables. They got off and never came back. We managed to keep them off the track apart from a furlong.' Every year during a Derby week a section of the Downs, adjacent to the track, is occupied by travellers but Allen said they were not involved with the incident. 'It certainly wasn't the travellers here on the site,' he said. 'They came from somewhere local. They'd been drinking in the Derby Arms for a while and suddenly took off. 'There was no damage to the track. The ground was obviously quite quick and the ponies were so small. All they did was flatten the grass but they didn't pull up any divots at all. 'We did notify the police but the group disappeared quite quickly and never came back. It was purely because this site is so open, it's a constant concern that anybody can get on the track.'
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Which bookies are offering Free Bets ahead of the 2025 Epsom Derby
The bookies will be busy this weekend with two Classics in the horse racing flats season including the Epsom Derby This weekend, the spotlight will be firmly on Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey as the Derby Festival unfolds over two days, culminating in the illustrious Epsom Derby. This race, steeped in tradition and prestige, has long been a hallmark of British flat racing, shaping the careers of future champions and serving as a pivotal test for potential stallions. This year's event promises to add another fascinating chapter to its rich history. Aidan O'Brien, a seasoned master with ten Derby wins under his belt, is once again in the mix with a strong lineup. Among his contenders is The Lion In Winter, whose odds have drifted following a lacklustre run in the Dante Stakes. Nonetheless, Delacroix stands out from O'Brien's stable, having captured victories in both the Ballysax and Derby Trials, and is likely to be partnered by jockey Ryan Moore. Ruling Court is another notable contender, aiming to replicate Camelot's 2012 feat by winning both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby. Adding to the intrigue is Pride Of Arras, who has emerged as a formidable challenger after an impressive showing in the Dante. Despite these strong entries, questions linger about the stamina of several top contenders, and with no clear standout like last year's City Of Troy, this year's Derby is wide open. This unpredictability enhances the anticipation for what promises to be an exhilarating edition of this iconic race. Here are a selected number of free bets offers: New Customer Epsom Derby Free Bet Offers Sky Bet - Place Any Bet on Here is your guide on how to make the most out of this offer with Sky Bet: Click this link which will take you to the Sky Bet sign up page. Register your account and place a minimum deposit of £5 Sign up via the '£40 in free bets when you place any bet' promotion and place a minimum of 5p on your first bet on a single or each way bet on any Sky Bet market at odds of 1/1 or greater Free bets will be credited within 72 hours of qualified bet being settled Enjoy four £10 free bet tokens with Sky Bet - will expire after 30 days if left unused NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 4 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS EXPIRE AFTER 30 DAYS. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+. Paddy Power - Bet £5 on Epsom Here is how you can claim £30 in free bets when you bet £5 on the Champions League final with Paddy Power: Step 1: Use the links on this page to sign up for your new Paddy Power account to activate your offer. Step 2: During registration, enter the personal details requested such as your name, address, email, phone number and more. Step 3: In the promo code box, enter YSKAST to redeem the bonus. Step 4: Deposit a minimum of £5 into your Paddy Power wallet using bank cards or Apple Pay Step 5: Once confirmed, you can look through the different markets and place a first bet of £5 or more at odds of evens - 1/1 (2.0) or higher. New Customer offer YSKARZ. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £20 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. Betfred - Bet £10 on the Epsom Here is how you can claim £50 in free bets with Betfred: Click this link which will take you to the Betfred sign up page. Here you will claim your bet £10, get £50 bonus Complete your Betfred registration using code BETFRED50 and prepare to make your first deposit Make your first deposit of £10 or more Bet £10 on football this weekend (Min odds. EVS or bigger) Get £50 in free bets even if your first bet goes on to lose New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Coral - Bet £5 on the Epsom Here is how you can claim £20 in free bets with Coral ahead of the Champions League final: Click this link which will take you to the Coral sign-up page Register your account and deposit minimum £5 into your account with 7 days of registration Place a £5 bet at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater on any race at Epsom including Epsom Derby Enjoy £20 in free bets when the qualifying bet settles 18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4 x £5 free bets. Free bet available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Betfair - Bet £10 on the Epsom Derby Here is how you can Betfair's welcome offer ahead of the Champions League final: Click this link which will take you to the Betfair sign up page. Register your account and use promo code ZSKAOG Place a minimum deposit of £10 using a Debit card or Apple Pay Place a qualifying bet of £10 at odds of at least 1/1 (2.00) on the Betfair Sportsbook Receive £50 Sportsbook free bet builders, accumulators or multiples will be awarded after the qualifying bet has been settled Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. William Hill - Bet £10 on The Derby Here is how to claim William Hill's offer: Click this link which will take you to the William Hill sign-up page Choose the Sports Welcome Offer Register your account and deposit minimum £10 into your account with 7 days of registration Place a £10 bet at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on any sports market Enjoy £60 in free bets 18+. Play Safe. New players using T60 code. Online only. Get £60 bonus split as follows: (i) Deposit £10. Get a £20 Vegas Bonus on selected games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); '(ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, get 4x£10 sports free bets (valid 7 days, excl. virtual sports). Payment & country restrictions & full T&Cs apply. LiveScore Bet - Bet £10 on The Derby Here is the step-by-step guide to claim LiveScore Bet's offer: Click this link which will take you to the LiveScore Bet sign-up page Register your account and deposit minimum £10 into your account within 14 days of registration Place a £10 bet at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater than on selected sportsbook markets Accept the free bets via a pop-up notification within seven days of qualifying Enjoy £30 in free bets when the qualifying bet settles *New members only. Any new account registration or bets settled on 5 April 2025 are not eligible for this Welcome Offer. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. 18+ More Free Bets offers Be sure to look at the Mirror Betting Hub's Free Bets page where you have all the latest free bets offers from the biggest online bookmakers and more. More than 30 bookies have new customer offers which will be catered for every sporting event whether that is horse racing, football, darts, tennis and more. Gamble responsibly Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Bottoms up! Dreary weather no match for Epsom's winning women on Ladies Day as racegoers celebrate their winnings in style
Glamorous racegoers descended on Surrey for Epsom Ladies' Day - and they certainly didn't disappoint. Donning an entire rainbow of bright colours, revellers braced a wet start and light rain for the opening day of two-day festival, which includes the Coronation Day and the Oaks. As the races began and the sun came out, revellers wasted no time in getting the booze out - and getting the party started by popping champagne and sipping on pints. The ensembles on display at Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Derby Festival were as daring as ever, with low-scooped corset style tops on display alongside daring thigh splits. Others dressed for the occasion with bright and vibrant fascinators, oozing glitz in a bid to be crowned best dressed. Friday's events commenced at 1.30pm, with the Betfred Oaks at 4pm. The final sprint took place just after 5pm - with Marvin Humes providing DJ entertainment for revellers for the rest of the evening. Ladies Day features the third Classic race of the season, The Betfred Oaks. This highly-anticipated race day is also a chance for racegoers to showcase their style, with colourful dresses, wide-brimmed hats and fancy fascinators. The website calls Ladies' Day 'a spectacular, gleeful celebratory day where people come together to join in racing's most spectacular carnival'. While all eyes are on the runners and riders of the day, the competition also provides the opportunity for the ladies attending to fight it out for who is best dressed on the other side of the fence. Epsom organisers describe the Derby, due to take place at 3.30pm tomorrow, as the 'world's greatest flat race'. With an incredible prize pot of £1.5million, the race lasts one-and-a-half miles. The owner normally receives about 75 per cent of a race's prize money, while the remaining 25 per cent is generally split between the trainer (10 per cent), the jockey (10 per cent) and then the final 5 per cent to stable staff and racing charities. However, the Derby has been issued with a yellow weather warning, with the Met Office predicting thunderstorms and hail could hit the track. Racegoers show the anticipation on their faces as the race gets underway For the past two years, the winning jockey was Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O'Brien - however horses can only win it once. In the past, the event has been attended by a flurry of royals, including the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, and Queen Camilla in attendance. Held at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, the Derby was first run in 1780. It is Britain's richest flat horse race, and the most prestigious of the five Classics - the other four of which are the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, the 1,000 Guineas Stakes, the Epsom Oaks, and the St Leger Stakes. Last year, King Charles attended Ladies' Day to watch the Betfred Oaks, and his horse Treasure, bred by the late Queen, finish in 11th place. Others opted for a more traditional style, creating a bright display Donning an entire rainbow of bright colours, revellers braced a wet start and light rain for the opening day of the weekend The hats were as vibrant as ever, as one racegoer opted for bright shades of pink A pair of glamorous friends arrived in bright spirits as the day commenced No rain on my parade! One racegoer opted for a bright yellow ensemble with sparkling silver shoes Temperatures today at Epsom are set to remain around 15 degrees, but revellers should start to see some sun when the races kick off this afternoon Friday's events are set to commence at 1.30pm, with the Betfred Oaks at 4pm However, others chose to play it safe with the weather, adding a stylish blazer Newlywed Georgia Toffolo was dressed to the nines in a brown spotty blouse and elegant white skirt Among the celebrity arrivals were Gabby and Kenny Logan Revellers changed into their finery, carrying flat shoes for the partying ahead Racegoers caught the giggles as they posed for photographs Ladies Day features the third Classic race of the season, The Betfred Oaks Attendees glammed up with Gucci accessorises and gold jewellery Harry Redknapp during Ladies Day of the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse Though the rain appeared to have eased off, racegoers still held onto their hats amid the wind By contrast, Cheltenham Racing Festival, which takes place in March, has taken the decision to rename 'Ladies' Day' as 'Style Wednesday' to encourage both men and women to take part in the fashion competition. The Jockey Club, which runs 15 courses across the UK, also ditched the Best Dressed competition. Instead, the day now includes the Slow Fashion awards, open to both men and women, which 'celebrates vintage and borrowed items, as well as investment pieces'. A spokesperson for Cheltenham Racecourse said last year: 'This year we re-launched day two of The Festival as Style Wednesday to celebrate "fast horses, slow fashion", encouraging racegoers to make more sustainable fashion choices, showcasing their unique and personal style, and to share the stories behind their amazing outfits with friends, family and on social media. 'This includes re-wearing outfits they already have in their wardrobes, purchasing timeless garments to wear again and again and also buying from retailers specialising in pre-loved clothing.'
