Epsom Downs Racecourse will host one of the highlights of the British Flat racing calendar on Saturday, 6 June, when an eight-race programme worth more than £3.5 million in prize money will be staged. The fixture will feature two Group 1 contests, including the Derby and Coronation Cup, alongside a pair of Group 3 races and several competitive handicaps. Scheduled from 1:30pm to 5:55pm, the meeting will bring together established performers, emerging talent and large fields across a varied afternoon of racing.
Opening the prestigious programme, the Tattenham Corner Stakes (Class 1, Group 3) will be run at 1:30pm over 7f 3y for a prize fund of £125,000. A field of eight runners is expected to contest the race, with Alcantor, Balmacara, Chicago Critic, Golden Mind, Never So Brave and Poet Master among the notable participants. The contest will provide an important early Pattern-race opportunity for several progressive performers.
Continuing the Pattern-race action, the Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Class 1, Group 3) will follow at 2:05pm over 1m 113y with £125,000 in prize money. The race has attracted nine runners, including Sparks Fly, Arisaig, Betty Clover, Breckenbrough, Love Dynasty and Pina Sonata. The contest will showcase a competitive group of fillies and mares over the extended mile trip.
Epsom Downs Race Cards 6 June
One of the afternoon’s first major highlights, the Coronation Cup (Class 1, Group 1) will take place at 2:40pm over 1m 4f 6y for a purse of £1,000,000. The prestigious middle-distance championship has drawn six runners, among them Bay City Roller, Calandagan, Convergent, Illinois, Jan Brueghel and Lambourn. As one of the season’s premier contests for older horses, the race will add considerable quality to an already distinguished card.
Providing a sharp change of pace, the Dash Handicap Stakes (Class 2) will be staged at 3:15pm over 5f with prize money of £120,000. A maximum field of 20 runners is expected to line up, including Democracy Dilemma, Another Baar, Lexington Blitz, Cindy Lou Who, Eclairage and Stormy Impact. The famous sprint handicap will offer one of the quickest and most competitive tests of speed seen throughout the season.
Commanding centre stage on the card, the Derby (Class 1, Group 1) will be run at 4:00pm over 1m 4f 6y for a magnificent prize fund of £2,000,000. The Classic has attracted 14 runners, with Action, Alderman, Ancient Egypt, A Taste of Glory, Balzac and Bay of Brilliance among the expected contenders. Widely regarded as Britain’s premier race for three-year-olds, the Derby will once again stand as the focal point of the entire meeting.
Keeping the quality high after the Classic feature, the Lester Piggott Handicap Stakes (Class 2) will be contested at 4:40pm over 1m 2f 17y for £75,000. The race has attracted 11 runners, including Allegresse, Lake Como, Tailgunner Joe, Starlight Time, Silver State and Savvy Disko. The contest will provide another competitive examination for middle-distance handicappers.
Attention will then turn to the staying division, with the Northern Dancer Handicap Stakes (Class 2) scheduled for 5:20pm over 1m 4f 6y. Offering £75,000 in prize money, the race has assembled 17 runners, among them Prydwen, Spinning Wheel, Military Academy, Regal Ulixes, Lord Melbourne and Dancing In Paris. The contest will provide a demanding stamina test during the latter stages of the programme.
Bringing the meeting to its conclusion, the Tokyo Trophy Handicap Stakes (Class 2) will take place at 5:55pm over 6f 3y for a prize fund of £75,000. A field of 16 runners is expected to go to post, including Roman Dragon, Invictus Gold, Fine Interview, Kylian, Apollo One and Partisan Hero. The closing sprint will provide a fitting finale to one of the most important afternoons of the Flat racing season.
The combination of elite Group 1 races, valuable supporting contests and substantial prize money will ensure Epsom Downs once again occupies a prominent place on the racing calendar. With quality present across all eight races, the meeting will offer a comprehensive showcase of British Flat racing at its highest level.
The Epsom Downs Race Cards 6 June feature an eight-race programme headed by the Derby and Coronation Cup, with more than £3.5 million in prize money and quality fields expected throughout the afternoon.
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