2026 Epsom Derby: What you need to know

Excitement is already building for the 2026 Epsom Derby. Here we take a look at what you need to know ahead of the big day.

The Epsom Derby Festival at Epsom Downs

Friday 5th – Saturday 6th June 2026

Horse racing fans will flock to the iconic Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Epsom Derby, which is set to take place on Saturday 6th June 2026. With the anticipation growing by the day around who will win one of the greatest flat races in Horse Racing, we look at what you need to know ahead of the big day as well as some significant moments in the race’s history.

It was Lambourn, ridden by Wayne Lordan, who won this historic race in 2025. This was Lordan’s maiden Derby win.

Lordan, onboard Lambourn, managed to win the race with a gap of three and three quarter lengths ahead of Lazy Griff in second place. Tennessee Stud rounded off the top three in third place.

Lambourn’s trainer, Aidan O’Brien, is no stranger to success in the Epsom Derby. This was his eleventh success in this race of his career, with his other ten victories in the race coming with Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012), Ruler of the World (2013), Australia (2014), Wings of Eagles (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2019) and Serpentine (2020), Auguste Rodin (2023), and City Of Troy (2024).

The Epsom Derby has a long history, with the first ever winner being crowned all the way back in 1780. The winner of the inaugural derby was Diomed, ridden by Sam Arnull.

The jockey with the most wins in the Epsom Derby is the legendary Lester Piggott, who after winning the derby with Never Say Die in 1954, won it a further 8 times with Crepello (1957), St. Paddy (1960), Sir Ivor (1968), Nijnsky (1970), Roberto (1972), Empery (1976), The Minstrel (1977) and Teenoso (1983).

As for the most successful trainer in the Derby’s history, this honour is with Aidan O’Brien who has 11 wins in all with: Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012), Ruler of the World (2013), Australia (2014), Wings of Eagles (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2019) and Serpentine (2020), Auguste Rodin (2023), City Of Troy (2024), & Lambourn (2025).

The excitement levels of horse racing fans is only going to rise the closer we get to the day of the Epsom Derby, with the 2026 winner set to be crowned.

Be sure to revisit our website for updates ahead of the Derby at Epsom, we will keep you up to date with news of the runners and riders as we approach the big day. If you are looking to attend the Derby, there is no better way to enjoy all of the action at the 2026 Epsom Derby in some style with one of our VIP Hospitality Packages. Make your experience even more memorable with Eventmasters.