Epsom ushers in 72-hour declarations for the Derby

The Betfred Derby will become a 72-hour declaration race in 2025 for the first time in its 245-year history, The Jockey Club has announced.

In an historic move, the world’s most famous Flat race – which was first staged in 1780 – is the first Group One race held in Britain to introduce 72-hour declarations.

The Jockey Club said it hoped that bringing forward the declaration deadline to Wednesday, June 4 will “prove beneficial in building a sense of anticipation and excitement both domestically and globally”.

Jim Allen, general manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said: “This racecourse has been at the forefront of positive change and new initiatives in British horseracing for generations, with the Derby becoming the first race to be filmed back in 1896 and then the first sporting event to be broadcast in 1931.

“We’re delighted to be able to introduce 72-hour declarations for this year’s Betfred Derby, demonstrating that we are always looking for new ways to innovate and ensure that our sport’s most iconic Flat race continues to stand out from the rest.

“Having consulted with a range of stakeholders on this issue we are confident that this change will not only help build anticipation for the world’s most famous Flat race earlier in the week but also provide more certainty around the runners and riders on the day, driving more interest and engagement in advance of the start of the Betfred Derby Festival.

“We are hugely grateful to the British Horseracing Authority for their co-operation and help in order to make this change happen at relatively short notice, and to all those participants who have supported us in making this move.”

Coinciding with the introduction of 72-hour declarations, there will also be a significantly enhanced draw ceremony for this year’s Derby, with Epsom and the BHA using the balls and other equipment deployed for football’s world famous FA Cup draws.

The ceremony will take place at around 11am on June 4 at Epsom’s Picturehouse, with dignitaries from the racing industry and local community in attendance.

Allen added: “Changing the stalls draw for the Betfred Derby from the randomly generated process used for nearly every other Flat race in the UK to a ceremony with balls picked out live on Racing TV has definitely helped increase the sense of excitement and anticipation in recent years.

“As part of the review into all aspects of last year’s Betfred Derby Festival, we felt that it was important that the draw is staged in the local community again and have been looking at ways to make the ceremony itself more sophisticated and give it a sense of occasion.

“Epsom’s Picturehouse is the perfect venue and we’re grateful to the FA for allowing us to use their iconic draw equipment.”

The other seven races staged on Betfred Derby Day (June 7) and all those taking place on Ladies Day will retain their 48-hour declaration deadline.

Entries – Tuesday 25th February

Second Entry Stage – Tuesday 23rd April

First scratchings stage – Tuesday 6th May

Second scratchings stage – Tuesday 20th May

Five-day confirmation & supplementary entry stage – Monday 2nd June