Dating back to 1661, the Epsom Derby Festival is one of the most celebrated racing festivals anywhere in the world and we were thrilled to welcome guests for our first ever Green Room at this illustrious event.
Encompassing both Ladies Day and Derby Day, the Epsom Derby Festival is the absolute pinnacle of flat racing and as guests began streaming in for the Ladies Day festivities, we knew this was going to be a special couple of days on the Downs.
Frocks, fascinators, and high fashion were out in force on Friday and with dappled sunlight cascading over the racecourse, it was time for the action to begin! Enjoying the action with our guests were a couple of bona fide racing legends – Sir AP McCoy and Frankie Dettori. Hearing insight and stories from the greatest jump jockey and the greatest ever flat jockey was brilliant entertainment, enjoyed by the likes of TV star Ross Kemp and former England rugby player James Haskell. The boys from the Northern Quarter Band paid us a visit and fresh from his recent sponsorship deal with Hospitality Finder, current jockey Ben Curtis also joined the party to give his unique take on the racing action.
The big race of the day was of course The Oaks, and our very own Frankie Dettori had a great chance aboard the 6/4 favourite Emily Upjohn. There was however to be no fairy tale for Dettori, as Ryan Moore pipped him at the post with a sensational ride from Aidan O’Brien trained Tuesday. In doing so, Moore claimed his fourth Oaks victory and O’Brien a record-breaking 41st victory in the British Classics.
After the excitement of Friday, the scene was set for ‘the greatest flat race in the world’, the Epsom Derby. The atmosphere was carnivalesque, the drinks flowed freely and as guests arrived on Saturday, we knew another fantastic day was in store! Joining our horse racing legends were England rugby player Ben Earls, TV & radio star Jamie Theakston, auctioneer Jonny Gould plus special guests Mike and Zara Tindall.
As the laughs rang around The Green Room and guests soaked up the stunning views and sumptuous hospitality, the fervour for the big race of the day began to reach a climax! Before long The Derby was underway and with no clear victor visible as they rounded the Tattenham Corner, favourite Desert Crown ridden by Richard Kingscote put in a stunning performance, coming into the closing stages behind the leaders but strolling through to win at a canter.
On the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee, there was no better way to spend the bank holiday weekend than by enjoying the action from The Green Room and we can’t wait to be back at Epsom for the Derby Festival in 2023. For more information on our horse racing hospitality options, click here.
