The Epsom community is gearing up for the Investec Derby Festival on Friday 31st May and Saturday 1st June with a range of new activities and promotions throughout the town centre ahead of and during the area’s historic event.
This initiative will be further developed in 2020 to coincide with the redevelopment of the town centre’s Market Place. The Epsom Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a lamp post banner campaign that is flying high throughout the preceding fortnight to celebrate the world’s greatest flat race. Another first for 2019 will be the staging of the free Derby Festival Launch Concert in the Market Place on Thursday 30th May. This will feature an exciting performance from the world’s No 1 Robbie Williams tribute, Mike Andrews, and the ultimate ‘dream team’, Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble tribute acts performing on stage together.
On Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May locals will enjoy the chance to finalise their raceday outfits with local fashion stores based within The Ashley Centre. Two days of fashion shows will allow the opportunity for locals to view raceday ready outfits, and encourage fashion spend to take place close to home.
Daymakers
A new Jockey Club initiative will also be launched for this year’s Investec Derby Festival; a team of Daymakers will be greeting racegoers throughout the day, on arrival at the train station and across the main entrances to the racecourse, as well as throughout enclosures in the afternoon. Dressed in racing attire, Epsom’s 16 Daymakers are there to help visitors with their queries, and will also be equipped with a ‘toolkit’ to delight with surprises. Many have a keen interest in racing so may be able to share a fact about the Derby, and many have experience working at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The team together have a wealth of knowledge to share to ensure that everyone visiting the Investec Derby Festival experiences a moment that makes their day. Epsom Downs Racecourse works closely with a variety of local businesses to ensure that the Investec Derby Festival has a positive impact on the area’s industry and residents. This includes those with a fashion focus, with the racecourse holding a longstanding relationship with Jessica Rea, local ambassador and milliner. The racecourse have worked with Jessica for the past three years, helping to promote and grow her business, and incorporating Jessica’s millinery into their annual Style Award.
Jessica said: “Working with Epsom Downs Racecourse is a fantastic partnership for me. Having grown up a stone’s throw from the course, I was already a passionate supporter of the event so getting involved with the Ambassador programme and Style Award was a perfect fit. Being able to focus part of my headwear collections on the Investec Derby Festival and help local women feel fabulous on the day is a joy and helps me to promote my brand to a wider audience.”
The Holiday Inn Express, located close to the racecourse, is amongst many local lodgings that benefit hugely in the build up to and over the weekend of The Investec Derby. Maria Robinson, General Manager said: “The Investec Derby weekend has a fantastic impact on the hotel. We’re always fully booked, with guests including Derby regulars who have developed a great rapport with the team – and vice versa. The Derby creates a buzz amongst the team. As well as seeing all the guests dressed in their finery, we create a ‘racing’ experience for the team so they don’t miss out on the action.”
Andy Wilmott, Epsom BID Manager said: “We are extremely lucky. Most towns would love to have an internationally known brand connected with them; Epsom has two! The Investec Derby and Epsom Salts. We are working together year on year to grow the town and racecourse partnership in order to maximise this unique opportunity. With a major redevelopment of Epsom’s Market Place scheduled for completion in early 2020, the benefits from hosting a world class event in our town can only increase.”
Simon Durrant, General Manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse said: “We value enormously our local community and are delighted to be working together on new initiatives for 2019 in order for everyone to benefit from the town staging the world’s greatest flat race. The Investec Derby is Epsom’s race, and it has been so for 240 years. That special history and local connection is incredibly important and we look forward to celebrating this event in the years to come.”
FIND TICKETS TO THE INVESTEC DERBY FESTIVAL
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Ticket details: Investec Ladies Day tickets start from £12.50 and Investec Derby Day tickets from £20 for the outer enclosures and £60 and £65 respectively for the Grandstand Enclosure where the Style Awards take place on Investec Ladies’ Day. The Hill is accessible free of charge on both days of the Festival.
For more information please contact:
Katie Maier – Communications Manager – The Jockey Club London Region
katie.maier@thejockeyclub.co.uk - 07776 460161
About: Epsom Downs Racecourse and The Jockey Club
Epsom Downs Racecourse has been a venue for the sport of horse racing since the 17th Century, with the first running of The Oaks taking place in 1779 and The Derby a year later. Since that time the Investec Derby has developed into the World’s Greatest Flat Race and is now part of the unique and vibrant Investec Derby Festival.
Twitter: @EpsomRacecourse
Facebook: @EpsomDownsRacecourse
Instagram: @epsomdownsracecourse
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