The king and queen will attend the 247th running of the Derby on 6 June, reviving what was a traditional engagement in the calendar for Queen Elizabeth II for most of her 70-year reign.
The late Queen missed just two renewals of the Classic at Epsom Downs between 1953 – when her colt Aureole finished second, four days after her coronation – and the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were at Epsom to watch the Oaks, which is run a day earlier, in 2024, but the news of their attendance for the track’s most famous race is a significant boost for a race which has suffered a major decline in attendance in recent years. The official attendance for the Derby in 2022, the first post-pandemic year without crowd restrictions, was 37,274, just 770 below the 2019 figure of 38,044, but last year’s race pulled in just 22,787 fans.
“We are honoured and thrilled the king and queen will be joining us at Epsom Downs on Derby day,” Jim Allen, Epsom’s general manager, said. “Their majesties show great enthusiasm, interest and support for horse racing in the UK and their attendance next week will be a proud moment for all of the team here and everyone connected with the racecourse. Royal attendance has been synonymous with the meeting for generations.”
The king and queen are patrons of the Jockey Club, which owns and operates Epsom, and while the royal colours will not be involved in either the Derby or the Oaks, their string includes runners that could be entered on the Classic undercard.
The Carlisle racecourse gets a rare moment in the ITV Racing spotlight on Saturday after Haydock’s track failed an inspection earlier in the week, and the card also includes the rearranged Silver Bowl Handicap, which was one of three races abandoned at Haydock last weekend when a hole appeared due to drainage issues on the main track.
Most of the fancied runners in that race are back to take their chance seven days later, including Princling, the likely favourite, and the front-running Crest Of Fire, but Carlisle’s long climb to the line is a different test and Laureate Crown (3.45) could be the beneficiary.
Hugo Palmer’s gelding has registered two wins already this season, including a convincing success in the Esher Cup at Sandown – another course that favours stamina – last time out. Laureate Crown’s strong-travelling, hold-up run-style looks ideally suited to Saturday’s track and trip and he makes plenty of each-way appeal at around 10-1.
Carlisle 1.30: The choicely bred Opportunity has had a stop-start career so far but having been gelded over the winter, this could be the year when William Haggas makes the most of a highly workable opening handicap mark.
Beverley 1.45: With just seven races in the book, Urban Glimpse is the least-exposed runner by some margin and a solid return to action at Goodwood earlier this month should set him up for a first handicap success.
Quick GuideGreg Wood's Sunday tips
Show
Nottingham 2.20 Grayrobin 2.50 Blue Celestial 3.20 Lucky Camino 3.55 Sugar Hill Babe 4.25 In The Post (nb) 4.55 Sharp Romance 5.25 Prodigal Son
Fakenham 2.35 Tuba 3.05 Dancing Dame 3.35 Getaway Jewel 4.07 Hello Sweety 4.37 Nickelforce 5.07 Gone In Sixty
Thirsk 3.45 Alfred Wallace 4.15 Here Forever 4.45 Vantheman 5.15 Great Bedwyn 5.45 Yes I’m Mali (nap) 6.15 Anniversary 6.45 Thaluna
Carlisle 2.00: Wild Clary improved from his first start for six months when finishing a close second at Ripon in April and has little to find on that form to go close.
Beverley 2.15: A tricky event to weigh up as Kodi Bear Light has the best form on offer but the worst of the draw, while the unraced Cosmic Mystery was a big-money breeze-up buy earlier this year. Karl Burke’s filly showed plenty of pace last time, however, and shades the vote at the likely odds.
Carlisle 2.33: Clive Cox’s Redorange looks an improved performer this year and more than ready for the return to Listed company, having finished a strong second at this level at Deauville last year.
Beverley 2.48: Kevin Ryan’s Matteo was a convincing winner in a strong time over track and trip on debut in April and will be tough to catch from stall one.
Quick GuideGreg Wood's Monday tips
Show
Lingfield: 2.07 Play Me 2.42 Southbank 3.17 Wardlaw 3.52 Mrair 4.27 Star Banner 5.00 H Key Lails.
Newbury: 2.15 Scommessa Sicura 2.50 The Third Star 3.25 Jellystone Park 4.00 Spring Bloom 4.35 Naval Tribute 5.10 Twisting Physics.
Windsor: 5.05 Solar Edge 5.40 Envision 6.15 Dowman 6.45 Gold Digger 7.15 Comical Point (nap) 7.45 Gert Lush 8.15 Mohaab 8.45 Party Island.
Wolverhampton: 6.00 Fistral Beach 6.30 Semper Femina 7.00 Hachiman 7.30 Al Qatem 8.00 Seven Sisters 8.30 A Lott Of Kane 9.00 Initial Blue (nb).
Carlisle 3.10: The sporting decision to keep Estrange in training for another season should get an early reward, in a Listed contest that David O’Meara’s mare won easily at Haydock 12 months ago.
Chester 3.30: The front-running Elements Of Fire is back at his ideal trip after leading to the furlong-pole over six furlongs at Ascot last time, and Archie Watson’s gelding has the perfect draw in stall one to take charge from the off.