Epsom Races Today – Latest Epsom Tips from Home of The Derby
Epsom races today are synonymous with its most valuable and biggest race, The Derby. Yet while that famous event remains the highlight at this Surrey track, it’s far from being the only attraction at the course.
On this page, we look back over the history of this iconic racing venue, its unique track configuration and examine the races that feature in our Epsom tips.
History of Epsom Downs Racecourse
The first recorded racing at Epsom dates back to 1661. Yet there is evidence that there were horse races held in the area even earlier.
A local burial list from 1625 records the death of a man from a broken neck, sustained when falling from a horse during a race. Epsom Racecourse features in the famous Diary of Samuel Pepys from 1663, with Charles II being an attendee during this period.
The first Stuart monarch after the Restoration was a horse racing fanatic. By 1684, there was a Clerk of the Course in place with that individual presiding over two meetings a year at Epsom in 1730.
In 1779 Edward Smith-Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby organised a race that he christened The Oaks, named after his nearby estate. It was and remains to this day, open to three-year-old fillies.
Birth of The Derby Hugely Significant
The following year in 1780, The Derby made its debut at Epsom. Open to three-year-old colts and fillies. This grew into the status that it enjoys today of being Britain’s richest flat horse race and the most prestigious of the five Classics.
Early editions of The Derby were a mile in length, before being extended to the current distance of a mile and a half in 1784. Epsom later became the scene of a key moment in the Suffragette movement and struggle for women’s rights.
Emily Davison threw herself in front of the horse Anmer, owned by King George. Injuries sustained by Davison during the collision in The Derby of 1913 resulted in her death four days later.
Over the years there have been many redevelopments of the racecourse, such as the new Duchess’s Stand built in 2009. Epsom races today has a total capacity of 130,000, which includes spectators that can watch the action from the Epsom Downs, which is freely open to the general public.
Is Epsom Races Today Jumps or Flat?
Epsom Downs Racecourse only hosts Flat racing. This left-handed undulating track is like the letter U or a horseshoe, so it does not form a complete circuit.
It is a mile-and-a-half long and not all horses handle Epsom well. For middle-distance races that run further than an extended mile, it is sharply uphill at first.
There is a sweeping left-hand bend, called Tattenham Corner, bringing horses steadily downhill as they turn out of the back and into the home straight. Next there’s a pronounced camber in the final three furlongs that causes some horses to hang out into the middle of the track.
The last furlong is uphill again. These challenges and the horses’ ability to meet them, are all considerations when we make our Epsom Downs racing tips.
There are chutes for 7f and 6f races, joining the Tattenham Corner bend at different points. The five-furlong sprint course is straight, joining the track proper, 3.5 furlongs from the winning post.
Epsom’s sprint course is the fastest on turf anywhere in the world. This of course is another consideration when making our Epsom tips today. So too is the draw stall advantage.
When there is soft ground it’s an advantage to be up against the stand side rail. To achieve this a horse needs to be leading as it comes round Tattenham Corner, so front runners benefit when the ground is soft.
Key Epsom Racecourse Events & Fixtures
Compared to some racecourses Epsom does not have the busiest schedule, though it more than makes up for this with the size of the events that it holds. There are 11 race days scheduled between April and late September in 2025.
The action intensifies over the summer, ensuring that there will be a steady stream of horse racing tips from Epsom here at Racing Tipster, over the warmer months. When it comes to the biggest events for which we give tips for Epsom today, there are two that stand out.
The Spring Meeting in April hosts the official Blue Riband Trial for The Derby, plus the Metropolitan Handicap and the City And Suburban Handicap. Then in early June comes the main event, in the form of the Betfred Derby Festival held over two days.
Check in at Racing Tipster around this time for Epsom Oaks tips on the Friday along with picks for the Coronation Cup, Woodcote Stakes and more. Then get your Epsom tips for Saturday, which will include our Derby predictions.
Aside from these big events, there are a number of meetings that are followed by musical entertainment and a bank holiday raceday aimed at families. For all of these events held at Epsom races today tips will be available at Racing Tipster, a day in advance.
The Biggest Races We Give Epsom Tips On
Our Epsom racing tips today cover all of the feature races held at the Surrey course and more. Here are the jewels in its crown.
Epsom Derby Tips
The most valuable race in the UK is held on the first Saturday in June, on day two of the Derby Festival. With it being such a huge race, tips for the Epsom Derby can be available some weeks and months in advance of the race.
It is the premier Classic with history dating back to 1780. Open to three-year-old colts and also fillies over a mile-and-a-half, this is an event with real significance for the future of the thoroughbred racehorse.
Notable past winners in modern times include Sea Bird, Nijinsky, Shergar, Nashwan, Galileo, Sea The Stars and Workforce. The 2024 victor was City of Troy, taking home £882,400.
Epsom Oaks Tips
The highlight of the Epsom tips for Friday during the Derby Festival is The Oaks. Of the Classics, only the St Leger is older than this race which dates back to 1779.
Only three-year-old females can run in this mile-and-a-half test, which is the most valuable fillies’ race in the UK. First prize was almost £312,000 in 2024, with Irish raider Ezeliya the winner.
Coronation Cup
In 1902, Epsom launched a race for four-year-olds and up to replace the Epsom Gold Cup and commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII. This mile-and-a-half Group 1 race gives those who have run in The Derby and The Oaks the chance to come back and race at Epsom again, later on in their careers.
This is another event held on the Friday of the Derby Festival. The first prize in 2024 was over £252,300 and went to Luxembourg, a popular choice among experts producing Epsom horse racing tips.
Diomed Stakes
This is an extended mile Group 3 race for three-year-olds and up on Derby Day. It first took place in 1971, replacing the St James Stakes.
The race takes its name from Diomed, the first-ever winner of the Derby. In 2024, The Flying Scotsman won and picked up the £56,700 first prize.
Princess Elizabeth Stakes
An extended mile Group 3 race for fillies and mares aged three and up that takes place on Derby Day. Inaugurated in 1995 as the Victress Stakes, it changed name to the Princess Elizabeth Stakes in 2001.
In 2024, Breege was the winner, taking home a first prize of £56,700.
Epsom Dash
This 5f Heritage Handicap for three-year-olds and up runs on Derby Day. It is one of the fastest sprints on turf with the big field ensuring a cavalry charge.
Caspian Prince is a notable winner, having finished first in 2014, 2016 and 2017. The 2024 winner was Dream Composer, claiming nearly £51,000.
Betfred Handicap
A 1m 2f Class 2 handicap for four-year-olds and up that takes place on Oaks day during the Derby Festival. This race featured a first prize worth over £50,000 in 2024, which was won by Bolster.
Surrey Stakes
Our final featured race from Epsom Downs races today is this Listed race on Oaks day. Run over seven furlongs, it’s open to three-year-olds only.
Established in 1995, it picked up this name and its current status in 1998. Space Blues is the most notable winner of the Surrey Stakes. Evade won the £42,500 first prize in 2024.
FAQs
Is Epsom races on today?
You can check if there are Epsom races today by taking a look within our racecards section. If it’s taking place as scheduled, you’ll find Epsom racing tips, form, information on non-runners and results
Where is Epsom Racecourse?
If visiting the races at Epsom today by car, it’s just minutes from Epsom Town Centre on the B290 Epsom Downs Road. Alternatively, exit junction 9 of the M25. Tattenham Corner Station and Epsom Downs Station are within walking distance, or get a taxi or bus from Epsom Station.
Where can I find tips and Epsom races results today?
If there are Epsom races today results and tips can be found right here a Racing Tipster. Our Tomorrow’s Tips section will feature our Epsom race tips for the following day, while after the races, you can check who won through our Results service.
Why give free Epsom Downs tips?
Quite simply, we want as many people as possible to be able to access our AI-generated betting advice. Whether it’s Epsom Derby tips, or predictions for the other events held at the course, you’ll be able to view them for free at Racing Tipster.
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