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The Betfred Derby Festival
Sun, style, fashion and world-class racing - Ladies Day 2026 lived up to all expectations. With a sell-out crowd, racegoers turned heads with their elegant looks at one of the most anticipated events in Surrey's social calendar.
We hope you had a brilliant day with us, and soaked in everything that Ladies Day had to offer - both on and off the track.
Take a look below at some of the best bits from today.
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
Having ridden four British Classic winners in his career as a jockey, 33-year-old Joseph O’Brien enjoyed his second British Classic winner as a trainer as Thundering On (5-1) posted an impressive victory in today’s Betfred Oaks on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs.
The daughter of Frankel was partnered to victory by the reigning Irish champion Flat jockey, Dylan Browne McMonagle, who was partnering his first British Classic winner. The 23-year-old said “there was never a moment’s worry” about the victory.
It was Sugar Island (25-1), trained by Joseph’s father Aidan who made the running. She was challenged two furlongs out by Legacy Link (3-1), with the winner travelling easily on their heels.
Sent to the front entering the final furlong, Thundering On sauntered away for an easy three-and-three-quarter lengths win.
A TREBLE FOR MURPHY
Seagulls Eleven (5-2 Favourite) swooped late inside the final furlong to land the first Pattern race of the 2026 Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs, the £125,000 Group 3 Betfred Diomed Stakes over an extended mile.
Owned by a syndicate of 11 past and present Brighton & Hove Albion FC players headed by recently retired defender James Milner, the four-year-old Galileo Gold gelding looked set for second entering the final furlong but produced a strong late run under champion jockey Oisin Murphy to deny last year’s winner Persica (11-4) by a nose.
Murphy completed a 109-1 treble when Mister Winston beat Hot Cash by a length in the £75,000 HKJC World Pool Handicap over an extended mile, having earlier struck aboard Naana’s Shadow.
Speaking after his Diomed success, trainer Hugo Palmer said: “Anyone who was standing next to me in the corner, I let out an expletive when I thought we were done, and then literally he got up. I did think he’d got up, but 20 yards before the line hope was gone. You only get paid in one place, and he put his head down where it mattered.”
THE STYLE CAME TO EPSOM
This year, the Style Awards returned, attracting over 300 entrants. We saw a wonderful array of outfits, impeccable tailoring, and stunning hats, all bringing fun and flair to the Derby Festival. Sarah Bowden wowed the judges in a striking blue ensemble to claim this year's crown, winning more than £5,000 worth of prizes.
This year marked an exciting first for the Festival as O Beach Ibiza brought its world-famous party spirit to the Grandstand Enclosure in Galileo's, with DJs keeping the energy high throughout the day and creating an incredible festival atmosphere.
Across DerbyFest, guests enjoyed a packed programme of live entertainment, from vibrant dancers and roaming performers to live bands that kept the crowds entertained between races. The day culminated with a brilliant performance from The Hoosiers, providing the perfect soundtrack to an unforgettable Ladies Day.
So many of our racegoers also took their chance on our Winning Wheel, with lucky spinners walking away with a range of fantastic prizes throughout the day. If you entered our prize draw, be sure to keep an eye on your inbox over the coming days to find out if you've won tickets to one of our upcoming Music Nights.
