2023 EPSOM DERBY Festival
The Derby Festival is synonymous with style, elegance and world-class racing. This much anticipated occasion, which spans across two high class race days, attracts some of the world’s finest trainers, jockeys and horses to compete on the iconic Epsom Downs Racecourse.
This two day extravaganza kicks off on Friday 2nd June with Epsom Ladies Day, which combines the very best in fashion, style and horse racing. The signature event on the opening day of the is the gripping Epsom Oaks.
The second day of the meeting on Saturday 3rd June, is the phenomenal Epsom Derby Day. The feature race of the afternoon is, of course, the Epsom Derby – a premier race featuring some of horseracing’s greatest three-year-old colts.
There are many great sporting events and horse racing festivals in the United Kingdom and around the world, but the glory of the Epsom Derby Festival is that it has been going much longer than just about any other major horse racing event.
The Oaks was first run in 1779 and the Derby a year later. Prior to the inaugural running of the Derby in 1780, the Earl of Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury tossed a coin to decide the title of the race.
The dramatic events of the 1913 Derby produced the most sensational race in its entire history. A protesting suffragette – Miss Emily Davison – brought down the King’s horse by running onto the course at Tattenham Corner, while minutes later, the stewards objected to and disqualified the winning favourite Craganour, amid claims of prejudice.
Last year’s race was won by the Sir Michael Stoute trained Desert Crown who was the 5/2 favourite. Stoute was winning the race for the 6th time, his previous victory had come in 2010 with Workforce, while his first came in 1981 with the brilliant Shergar. Desert Crown’s jockey, Richard Kingscote, was riding his very first Epsom Derby winner.
Desert Crown was only having is third race of his career and remains unbeaten to this day. In the Epsom Derby 2022 he faced sixteen opponents including some strong contenders in the form of, amongst others, Stone Age – who had won the prestigious Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial; Nations Pride winner of the Newmarket Stakes; Changingoftheguard who had just been successful in the Chester Vase and Westover who had won the Sandown Classic Trial.
Jockey Richard Kingscote settled Desert Crown in sixth or seventh place as Changingoftheguard set the pace, before making an early move in the straight when the pair strolled clear some fully two furlongs out, and thereafter never looked like being beaten. Desert Crown and jockey Richard Kingscote won by a heavily eased down two and a half lengths from the 150/1 outsider Hoo Ya Mal.
FESTIVAL 2023?
With fourteen quality races over two days of action there is bound to be some spectacular top-class racing to look forward to at Epsom this year.
The Epsom Derby looks wide open this time around, although many expect the Charlie Appleby trained Military Order to go mighty close. The four-time raced three-year-old has won his last three races and is currently Unibet’s 3/1 favourite. He took the Lingfield Derby Trial last time out in eye-catching fashion.
Eight -time winning trainer Aidan O’Brien has spoken of his great love and respect for his Auguste Rodin, who although disappointing in the first Classic of the year – the 2000 Guineas – is still well thought of at the stables. He trailed in 12th of 14 in that last Newmarket race but is a strong second favourite with Unibet at 4/1.
This will be Frankie Dettori’s last Epsom Derby ride, and he will be hoping to add to his two previous wins in the race which came in 2007 aboard Authorised and in 2015 on Golden Horn. He is likely to ride the John Gosden trained Arrest and is currently available at 6/1 with Unibet.
There looks to be a pretty wide open field for the Oaks on the opening day here at Epsom. One possible runner at the head of the betting that is full of interest is Inspiral. Daughter of the legendary Frankel, a lot was expected of her in her two-year-old campaign.
She more than lived up to that promise by winning all four of runs and with her connections she is sure to attract attention from the punters.
EPSOM DERBY 2023?
We’ve already introduced you to a couple of the favourites for the 2022 headline races, but that doesn’t mean you should stick to them. With two days of quality racing ahead Unibet is your home of betting options for this exciting week. As one of the biggest sporting events of the British summer, there’s plenty of action for punters here at Epsom Derby time.
We can recommend checking out our events lobby for the top markets and offers or go to head to the Unibet Enclosure.
The Unibet Enclosure is the place to visit for all the latest offers, promotions and content from our ambassadors such as trainer Richard Hannon. It’s also the place to find out more information on the extra place races and money back if 2nd and 3rd offers at the 2023 Epsom Derby Festival
As the festival draws near, there will be plenty of special offers that you can’t refuse. Promotional bets will maximise your money returns, especially for new customers. You’ll get some of the top odds on all Epsom Derby Festival races right here at Unibet.
The Best Odds Guaranteed special offer is a great way to get the top odds on a horse. For example, if you back a 10/1 favourite before the race and he’s 16/1 by the time the race starts, if your selection wins, you get paid by the higher odds. This great promo comes among many others such as special extra place races where we enhance the number of places for your each ay betting. And don’t forget our Uniboosts promotion where YOU DECIDE which horse you want boosted odds on! .
Unibet is the home of horse racing in the UK – don’t just take our word for it – Unibet has been awarded the prestigious and highly acclaimed EGR Horse Racing Operator of The Year Award for the last two consecutive years!
Visit Unibet racing now and discover our fantastic betting promotions and generous odds. You’ll even get a welcome offer – if your first racing bet is a losing one we’ll give you your money back up to £40 (T&Cs apply, see site for details)
Welcome Bonus Money back up to £40 + £10 Casino Bonus