English/Ire
Epsom Derby receives prize-money boost amongst other notable changes
The Jockey Club today announced several significant changes to the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse, with prizemoney now boosted to £2million for the three-year-old colts Classic.
As part of a project to reinvigorate the world's most famous race, a host of enhancements will be introduced in 2026, ranging from alterations to the race programme and increases in prize money to customer experience improvements across the site for the two-day event.
The increase in prizemoney to £2 million will make the Epsom Derby the joint richest race in the UK, while the Coronation Cup, which will now be sponsored by Coolmore, is set to move from the Friday to the Saturday with prizemoney also more than doubling from £450,000 to £1 million.
Other changes to the two-day meeting include free entry for accompanied under-18s, plus discounts for those aged 12-17 in the hospitality and dining experiences, while there will also be a new under cover area in the Grandstand Enclosure, called Galileo's – named after the legendary 2001 Derby winner – it will feature live entertainment, new food and drink concessions and an unmissable after party.
Epsom Downs General Manager, Jim Allen, said: "Epsom Downs Racecourse is the home of the 'Original Derby', a race which is widely regarded as the most important two and a half minutes in the racing and breeding industry, shaping pedigrees, stallion careers and bloodstock markets for generations.
"The changes we are making, both on and off the track, would not have been possible without crucial input from racegoers, annual members, the local community, a number of stakeholders from right across the sport and our sponsors Betfred and other partners, all of which have helped shape this painstaking review process.
"It is so important for us to be continually evolving and improving to give everyone the best possible experience across the two days. Ultimately, we want to deliver something that Epsom and the surrounding area, along with everyone connected with British racing, can feel truly proud of and one which is befitting of The Betfred Derby Festival's status as a world class and prestigious event."
As well as the aforementioned changes, a brand-new fan and family zone, DerbyFest, will be introduced on The Hill. DerbyFest, which is free to enter, will be run in partnership with Queensberry - famous for promoting some of the world's biggest sporting events – to drive attendance and engagement with the local community.
No trainer has won the race more times than Aidan O'Brien and the master of Ballydoyle, who has trained a record-winning eleven Derby winners, including Galileo, confirmed his backing for the race.
He said: "From the time that matings are planned at Coolmore, right the way through to the training process here at Ballydoyle, there is always huge emphasis placed on The Derby. If we had to pick one race in the calendar to win, The Derby would invariably be it.
"We are very grateful to The Jockey Club for their increased investment for next year's Derby Festival and welcome all the new initiatives, particularly those aimed at encouraging more young people to come racing, as they are the future of the sport."
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