The Jockey Club is delighted to announce that His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen will attend Betfred Derby Day at Epsom Downs during the afternoon of Saturday 6th June 2026 and watch the prestigious Derby.
Their Majesties are joint Patrons of The Jockey Club, which owns and runs Epsom Downs Racecourse.
The Betfred Derby is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious and iconic horse races and will take place for the 247th time next month, having been staged for the first time in 1780.
Both Their Majesties are Honorary Members of The Jockey Club and became the organisation’s joint Patrons in May 2024, succeeding Queen Elizabeth II who was Patron for 68 years, from 1954 until her death in September 2022.
The King and Queen’s visit to Epsom Downs on Derby Day continues a long tradition of Royal attendance for the historic race, with Queen Elizabeth II only missing Derby Day twice from the start of her reign until the COVID-19 pandemic - once in 1956 when on a state visit to Sweden and in 1984 when attending the 40th anniversary of D-Day commemoration in France.
Jim Allen, General Manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said: “We are honoured and thrilled that The King and Queen will be joining us at Epsom Downs on Derby Day.
“Their Majesties show great enthusiasm, interest and support for horseracing 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.
“Derby Day provides joy and entertainment to millions of people around the world as one of Britain’s most famous and iconic events, and Royal attendance has been synonymous with the meeting for generations. We are delighted that Their Majesties will be continuing this tradition next week.”
The Betfred Derby is one of five Classic races staged in the UK each year (the other four being the Betfred 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, the Betfred Oaks at Epsom Downs and the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster) and is the joint richest race run in Britain, with prize money at £2 million this year.
NOTES TO EDITORS
As a racehorse owner, Queen Elizabeth II won every British Classic apart from The Derby. From 10 runners, she came closest to winning the race with Aureole, who was second to Pinza in her Coronation year of 1953.
The 1909 Derby is the only time a reigning monarch in Britain has owned the winner of The Derby, when Minoru triumphed in the race for King Edward VII. He had previously enjoyed success in The Derby with both Persimmon in 1896 and Diamond Jubilee in 1900, when he was the Prince of Wales.
The King was appointed as an Honorary Member of The Jockey Club in 1980 and has a longstanding interest in equestrian sports, having been an amateur jockey and a keen polo player.
The Queen, who was appointed as an Honorary Member of The Jockey Club in 2015, is also a long-time supporter of equestrian sports and works with a number of organisations that help to promote racing education and welfare. She has also been Patron of The National Stud – the breeding operation of The Jockey Club – since November 2018.
Their Majesties have continued Queen Elizabeth II’s passion for racehorse ownership, enjoying their first Royal Ascot winner when Desert Hero won the King George V Stakes in June 2023.
There will be a Royal Rota in operation during the visit by The King and Queen to The Derby.
About The Jockey Club
Founded in 1750 The Jockey Club is today the largest employer and commercial organisation in British horseracing and one of the leading sports businesses operating in the UK.
The Jockey Club is governed by royal charter, ensuring all profits are reinvested back into racing, which is Britain’s second biggest spectator sport.
The organisation runs 15 of the UK’s racecourses and is charged with looking after some of the nation’s biggest events, including the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree, The Cheltenham Festival, The Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs and the Betfred Guineas Festival at Newmarket.
Thousands of racehorses also use The Jockey Club’s training centres in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom every year, while the organisation also runs The National Stud in Newmarket and the charity, Racing Welfare, which makes help available to everyone in racing.
For more information, please visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
