The 2009 Epsom Derby Festival GuideIrish jockey Kevin Manning (C) rides the horse New Approach across the finish line to win the 2008 Derby Festival at Epsom Downs race course, 20kms south of London on June 7, 2008. Left in the race by mistake, New Approach won the Derby to give trainer Jim Bolger and jockey their first victory in the race. AFP PHOTO / SHAUN CURRY

Among the highlights of the thoroughbred horse racing schedule, the two day 2009 Epsom Derby festival will take place at the Epsom Downs Racecourse in England. The Epsom Derby races are run during the first weekend in June on Friday the 5th and Saturday the 6th.

One of the five annual English Classic Races, the Epsom Derby is one of the most anticipated horse racing betting events in England. The legendary Group 1 flat race is open to all three-year-old colts and fillies, although, in practice fillies are seldom entered as Epsom Derby runners these days.

The Epsom Derby runners race over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards - about 2,423 metres. The 2008 Epsom Derby purse was an impressive £1,250,000.

2009 Epsom Derby Betting Tips

As the second leg of the English Triple Crown, the race merges pageantry, style and heritage and, of course, millions of pounds of Epsom Derby betting. It seems the whole of the United Kingdom is keen on placing an Epsom Derby bet. The interest given to the race by the British press allows Epsom Derby betting markets to swell up to enormous proportions, providing rich pickings for smart punters.

It is not the trainers and jockeys that rake in the money. 2009 Epsom Derby betting allows punters to bet some money on the best thoroughbred fillies in the world. Before selecting your 2009 Epsom Derby runners, pay close attention to the horses that show good form at preceding races such as the 2,000 Guineas 2009.

In addition, take some advice from the Epsom Derby betting tips and Epsom Derby live odds offered on this website.

2009 Epsom Tickets

2009 Epsom Derby Tickets went on sale in December 2008. Visit our tickets section to find out more about the Epsom Derby ticket options that are available. To buy Epsom derby tickets online, visit the official vendor. Alternatively, 2009 Epsom Downs Grandstand tickets can be ordered by calling 0844 579 3004.

229th Epsom Derby Festival Winner 2008

The 229th Epsom Derby race at Epsom Downs saw New Approach pulling in ahead of Tartan Bearer by half a length for an outstanding win. The horse was jockeyed by trainer Jim Bolger’s own son in law, Kevin Manning. The victory marked the first victory at Epsom Downs racecourse for both men.

Bizarrely, New Approach was left in the race unintentionally. Jim Bolger declared that the Epsom Derby festival was not supposed to be on New Approach’s agenda: “It was the biggest mistake I’ve made for a long time but it was the best mistake I have made in my life.

However, Jim Bolger stated that New Approach has now retired and will not be seen among the 2009 Epsom Derby runners: “… He has done everything right and it is all over now. He is the finest horse beyond a mile that I have trained.”

Epsom Derby History

The inaugural Epsom Derby race was in 1780, a year after the first running of the Oaks at Epsom Downs Racecourse. The race was named after the Early of Derby who had secured this honour by virtue of a coin flip bet with the owner of the first winner of the Oaks, Sir Charles Bunbury.

The original Epsom Derby was run over just a mile. During World War I, the Epsom Derby race was moved to Newmarket Racecourse where it was run as the Derby Stakes until the hostilities had ended. To find out more about the races’ heritage and legends, visit our Epsom Derby legends page.

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