EPSOM DOWNS RACECOURSE
Course: Epsom Downs Racecourse — The Derby
🎫 Ticket & Value: £110 (early bird) Duchess Stand & Reserved Seat
👀 Track View: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍔 Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍺 Guinness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭕️ Parade Ring: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏇 Runners and Riders: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎉 Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️ Overall Experience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👍🏻 Best For: Track View
Epsom Downs Racecourse offered a fantastic day of top-class racing and occasion on the famous Derby Day, where history, spectacle, and sport combined under glorious sunshine and a vibrant crowd. We had Duchess Stand tickets priced at £70, and while the post-race scene was slightly hindered by the lack of taxis and closed pubs, the day itself more than made up for those minor inconveniences with outstanding facilities, thrilling races, and a buzzing atmosphere.
The view from the Duchess Stand was genuinely superb — easily one of the best we’ve had at a racecourse. From our seats, we had a full panoramic view of the entire course and could follow each race from start to finish without obstruction. The sight of the runners thundering up the home straight and hitting the winning post just in front of us was unforgettable. The only downside was that those holding the Duchess ticket didn’t have access to dedicated bars; pre-race drinks required a bit of a walk past the Grandstand. Still, the views more than compensated for the inconvenience.
Food options were plentiful and varied. Highlights included generous portions of loaded fries and hot chicken, a rich £17 Greek mezze platter that offered excellent variety, and a hearty £13 chicken gyros. The flavours were very close to authentic with a huge portion and fantastic tasting tzatziki. The mezze platter was also served with bread, all the meats, chips, halloumi and salad. Coffee was readily available for a midday pick-me-up, and the dipped buns looked tempting too. Prices were a touch steep but generally in line with expectations for a major event like Derby Day.
The Guinness — always a litmus test for racecourse bars — was served at £7.99 and was among the best we’ve tasted on track. Poured brilliantly with a cool temperature and that signature creamy head, it came from the Madley bars near the parade ring. We’ve seen the same bar staff before and they continue to deliver consistency, both in quality and service. A steep price, yes, but when it’s poured this well, it almost softens the blow.
Epsom’s parade ring area is another standout. While there’s no separate pre-parade ring, the main ring is beautifully modern and clean, with lots of space and tiered standing that offers great visibility for punters of all heights. The proximity to the weighing room means jockeys are easily visible as they move between rides, and having nearby food stalls, a bar, and even a members area adds to the sense of occasion. It’s both practical and polished.
As expected on Derby Day, the calibre of racing was exceptional. All the big names were in the saddle — Ryan Moore, Oisin Murphy, William Buick, Christophe Soumillon, and Tom Marquand to name a few. We were treated to a packed card featuring high-class contests like the Group 1 Betfred Derby over 1m4f, the Group 3 Diomed Stakes, and the ever-popular Dash handicap over the flying 5f — a blur of speed and noise. The field of runners was top-tier from start to finish, earning a well-deserved ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
The atmosphere throughout the day was upbeat and sociable, with a busy but not overcrowded crowd. Around the parade ring especially, there was a pleasant hum of chat among racing fans, owners, and punters. Interestingly, the crowd seemed quieter than expected during the first race, but that mellowed into a more vibrant noise by mid-afternoon as the big races unfolded and anticipation built.
All in all, Epsom on Derby Day is a racing experience that lives up to the billing. From our privileged seats in the Duchess Stand to the top-class runners and finely poured Guinness, the day offered spectacle, substance, and a sense of tradition that only a track like Epsom can provide. The stunning course views, quality racing, and thoughtful parade ring layout were the standout features, and while there are areas for minor improvement, it was a day we won’t soon forget.
