The 2025 Derby Festival at Epsom Downs launches in spectacular fashion with Ladies Day on Friday, June 6, promising an exciting day of high-class flat racing and post-race entertainment. Gates open at 11:00 am, allowing racegoers to soak in the lively atmosphere, world-class competition, and the essence of a traditional British summer racing event. Once the racing concludes, DJ Marvin Humes will take the stage to keep the festivities alive into the evening.
The action begins at 1:30 pm with the Nyetimber Surrey Stakes, a Listed race over seven furlongs and three yards, featuring promising three-year-olds. Among the talented field are THE WACO KID, DIEGO VENTURA, REBEL’S GAMBLE, FRANCISCO’S PIECE, HALLASAN, GLAMIS ROAD, FORMAL, and SAQQARA SANDS—each aiming for a breakthrough victory.
At 2:05 pm, the British EBF Woodcote Stakes offers an early test for potential juvenile stars. This six-furlong and three-yard contest for two-year-olds has drawn a competitive line-up including HAVANA HURRICANE, LOGI BEAR, MAXIMIZED, NORMAN’S CAY, RAAKEB, RISING EMPIRE, ANAISA, TOO DARN GOOD, TRINCULO, and ALFA DUPLICATE.
The first Group 1 contest of the day, the Coronation Cup, takes place at 2:40 pm over a mile, four furlongs, and six yards. This elite middle-distance showdown for older horses features a stellar field: ANCIENT WISDOM, BELLUM JUSTUM, CALANDAGAN, CONTINUOUS, GIAVELLOTTO, JAN BRUEGHEL, and YOU GOT TO ME.
At 3:15 pm, the Nifty 50 Handicap—a wide-open contest over one mile, two furlongs, and seventeen yards—gets underway. Boasting several in-form horses, the field includes BOTANICAL, MUTAAWID, ECUREUIL SECRET, DEFIANCE, FLYING FINN, SIMPLY SONDHEIM, ASHARIBA, HAVE SECRET, AKECHETA, WESTERTON, WARDA JAMILA, RATHGAR, and SON OF MAN.
The highlight of the afternoon comes at 4:00 pm with The Oaks, a historic Group 1 Classic for three-year-old fillies run over the same distance as the Coronation Cup. This year’s anticipated edition has drawn an impressive line-up: DESERT FLOWER, ELWATEEN, GISELLE, GO GO BOOTS, MINNIE HAUK, QILIN QUEEN, REVOIR, WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY, and WHIRL.
The final race on the card is the Trustatrader Handicap at 4:35 pm, covering one mile and 113 yards. The competitive field includes FLIGHT PLAN, TWO TEMPTING, EBT’S GUARD, JULIA AUGUSTA, BOPEDRO, MR PROFESSOR, ALPHA CRUCIS, MR BALOO, MIRSKY, OBELIX, and TRIBAL RHYTHM, making for a fitting end to a high-octane day at Epsom.
