All roads lead to Epsom Racecourse to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee Weekend
Community invited to enjoy free activities at the home of the Derby
The Jockey Club will be hosting a range of free activities at Epsom Racecourse over the Platinum Jubilee weekend (June 2 – 4) to celebrate HM The Queen’s 70th anniversary as monarch. The racecourse will be welcoming racegoers and local families onto The Hill for The Derby meeting for the first time since 2019 during which time Covid-19 forced this racing showpiece to be run behind closed doors. Epsom is expecting over 100,000 people to attend the racecourse over the two-day race meeting.
The launch party gets festivities underway on the Thursday evening as Simon Durrant, General Manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse, explains:
“The Platinum Jubilee Launch Party is a new event for the local community, which this year will be a great way to get the carnival atmosphere started ahead of the weekend.
“There will be a jubilee singalong, the lighting of a Jubilee Beacon on the Downs and all sorts of fun for kids and families as we open the doors to Epsom Downs the night before the Cazoo Derby gets underway.
“We’ve seen huge demand locally and the free tickets for the event are now all gone, but we are looking forward to a great evening ahead of what should be a spectacular few days.”
On Thursday evening, there will be a ceremony to rename The Queen’s Stand as The Queen Elizabeth II Stand. This will be followed by the lighting of the Epsom Community Beacon at 9pm.
It is hoped Her Majesty The Queen will attend the Cazoo Derby on Saturday with other members of the Royal Family. The Queen has had a long association with the iconic race, missing only two renewals since her Coronation and the start of the pandemic. To recognise The Queen’s contribution to racing, dozens of jockeys will be wearing The Queen’s silks forming a guard of honour to meet Her Majesty on her arrival.
Details for racegoers for Friday and Saturday can be found here – Epsom tickets
There will be many numerous free activities for families and racegoers to enjoy against the backdrop of the two Classic races – The Cazoo Oaks and The Cazoo Derby on Friday and Saturday. Hosted by CBBC presenter and actor Karim Zeroual, CITV’s Kerry Boyne and Model Rosie Tapner, the Jubilee Family Festival will offer a unique racing experience. There will be non-stop entertainment throughout both afternoons.
The Festival Zone will give free admission to children and will include music and dance performances from acts including Big Fish Little Fish, Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure, Raymond and Mr Timpkins, Boggle Beats, Thrill Collins and The Flying Seagull Project. Roaming acts will wander around both afternoons and include Acro Chaps, Jumping Giant Jockeys and Flower Girls. Families can bring picnics to The Hill and can enjoy a helter skelter, big wheel, carousel, bungee trampolines and an inflatable maze to help make it a family day to remember. The Racing to School team will also be on hand to give young people the experience of riding in a race on board one of the charity’s racehorse simulators.
Racing will still be front and centre for visitors to the famous Downs and they can learn about what goes into the care and training of racehorses and see those people who work with them each day.
It is the love for the racehorse that has characterised Her Majesty The Queen’s support and enthusiasm for the sport throughout her reign.
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