Epsom racecourse hosts the Oaks on Friday and racegoers can rejoice. The rain has mostly missed the Surrey track and is due to avoid it during the afternoon as well. The meeting’s fresh look will be seen for the first time on Friday too.
Here is today’s racing news round-up heading into the weekend.
Epsom escapes downpours for Oaks day
Epsom Clerk of the Course Andrew Cooper has said the course “escaped relatively lightly” with the quantity of rain it received on Thursday. The going is unchanged at Epsom, being good on the sprint course and good-to-soft everywhere else. The Oaks, the first Classic of the meeting, looked set to be run on much softer ground based on the forecast. However, the nine fillies look set to contest the race on a decent racing surface. (Racing Post)
One of the contenders looking forward to that surface is Thundering On. Joseph O’Brien’s filly has been the subject of consistent support, and is third favourite for the race. Her jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle is particularly excited about the occasion, stating “it’s a big, big weekend ahead for the team.” As well as Thundering On in Friday’s Oaks, the rider will also partner James J Braddock in the Derby on Saturday afternoon. (Sporting Life)
Derby revamp tests police and staff
Epsom Downs general manager Jim Allen is looking forward with enthusiasm to the new festival’s beginning. Epsom has received financial boosts from both the Jockey Club and Frank Warren’s publicity team ahead of the 2026 Derby. Allen has stated that “I wouldn’t have come back (to racing) to run any other course,” in an interview ahead of the restyled meeting. (Telegraph)
Meanwhile, police are set to be kept busy over the proceeding two days. The Chief Inspector for Surrey Police has said that the Epsom Derby is “one of the biggest operations”. 14 arrests have been made at the Derby meeting over the last two years. With bigger crowds expected this year, especially compared to 2025, greater manpower is expected from the police force in the area. More than 60,000 spectators are expected. (BBC)
Six declared for Coronation Cup
Six horses have been declared for Epsom’s other Group 1 this weekend. The Coronation Cup will now be contested on the Saturday, sitting alongside the Derby on the weekend card. The race hosts a rematch of last year’s one-two, Jan Brueghel and Calandagan. Aidan O’Brien’s charge battle to defeat the French raider, who later went on to become the world’s highest-rated racehorse. Connections of Calandagan are on weather watch, as he will not race if too much rain falls. (Racing Post)