King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to attend the 247th running of the Derby at Epsom Downs on June 6, reviving a tradition that was a staple in Queen Elizabeth II's calendar for most of her 70-year reign. The late Queen missed only two renewals of the Classic between 1953, when her colt Aureole finished second just days after her coronation, and the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
The royal couple were last at Epsom in 2024 to watch the Oaks, which is run a day earlier. Their confirmed attendance for the Derby is a major boost for the race, which has suffered a significant decline in attendance in recent years. Official figures show that the Derby attracted 37,274 spectators in 2022, just 770 fewer than the 38,044 in 2019. However, last year's event drew only 22,787 fans.
Royal Enthusiasm for Horse Racing
Jim Allen, Epsom's general manager, expressed his delight at the royal attendance. "We are honoured and thrilled the king and queen will be joining us at Epsom Downs on Derby day. 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," he said.
The king and queen are patrons of the Jockey Club, which owns and operates Epsom. While the royal colours will not be represented in the Derby or the Oaks, their string includes runners that could be entered on the Classic undercard.
Carlisle Racecourse in the Spotlight
Carlisle racecourse gets a rare moment in the ITV Racing spotlight on Saturday after Haydock's track failed an inspection earlier in the week. The card 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. However, Carlisle's long climb to the line presents 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.
Saturday Tips from Greg Wood
- Chester 1.15 Town Queen
- Chester 1.50 Blake’s Monarch
- Chester 2.20 Undercover Affair
- Chester 2.53 Believitanducan
- Chester 3.30 Elements Of Fire (nb)
- Chester 4.05 Champonie
- Chester 4.38 Mayaada
- Carlisle 1.30 Opportunity
- Carlisle 2.00 Wild Clary
- Carlisle 2.33 Redorange
- Carlisle 3.10 Estrange
- Carlisle 3.45 Laureate Crown (nap)
- Carlisle 4.20 Distant Shore
- Carlisle 4.55 Wild Thoughts
- Carlisle 5.28 Priapos
- Beverley 1.45 Urban Glimpse
- Beverley 2.15 Kodi Bear Light
- Beverley 2.48 Matteo
- Beverley 3.25 Urchin
- Beverley 4.00 Physique
- Beverley 4.32 Vietnorm
- Beverley 5.08 Copper And Five
- Catterick Bridge 1.55 Skip To Victory
- Catterick Bridge 2.27 I’m Dan Dare
- Catterick Bridge 2.58 Mr Writer
- Catterick Bridge 3.35 Fleur De Mer
- Catterick Bridge 4.12 Wen Moon
- Catterick Bridge 4.43 Battenburg Belle
- Catterick Bridge 5.17 Star Of Emerald
- Lingfield 5.42 Panthere Noir
- Lingfield 6.12 Pride Of Nepal
- Lingfield 6.42 Sweet Reward
- Lingfield 7.12 Queencard
- Lingfield 7.42 Sword Salute
- Lingfield 8.12 Vidmiyr
- Lingfield 8.42 Woolridge
- Stratford-On-Avon 5.50 Machete Beach
- Stratford-On-Avon 6.20 Little Lady Lucy
- Stratford-On-Avon 6.50 Juan Bermudez
- Stratford-On-Avon 7.20 Imperial Alex
- Stratford-On-Avon 7.50 Rocks Up Late
- Stratford-On-Avon 8.20 Two To Tango
- Stratford-On-Avon 8.50 Masonbrook Meadow
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.
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.
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.
