Epsom Downs Unveils £6m Plan to Revive Derby's Fortunes
Epsom Downs racecourse has announced a £6 million, five-year plan aimed at reviving the fortunes of the Derby. This initiative includes boosting the Derby prize fund to £2 million, with the winner set to receive £1 million. Prize money will now be extended to the 10th place, and eight-race cards are planned for both days of the event. The John of Gaunt Stakes will be moved from Haydock to Saturday to enhance the program. Facilities improvements will include free admission to the main enclosure for under-18s, free parking, and bleacher seats along the inside rail providing a better view of the final three furlongs. Additionally, the Coronation Cup will be moved to join the Derby on Saturday's card.
Attendance figures provide context for the ambitious plan: the 2025 Derby Day attracted 22,787 attendees, with a two-day total of 37,599. Paid attendance has not surpassed 40,000 since 2007, with a peak of 53,177 in 2001 and historical estimates of up to half a million in 1913. The plan aims to reach a six-figure crowd across two days by 2030, targeting around 40,000 attendees across paid enclosures and The Hill in 2026. Jim Allen, general manager of Epsom Downs, emphasized the Derby's prestige and global influence, highlighting it as a model for similar races worldwide.
