Epsom Downs to give the racecourse its full name plays host to two of the most famous races in the world - The Epsom Derby and The Oaks.
This premier racecourse is situated in Surrey and is built on the chalk downland of the North Downs which gives the racegoers a superb panoramic view of the course and beyond.
The track itself is shaped like a horseshoe and throughout the racing world it is regarded as one of the most testing flat tracks you will find anywhere on the globe.
The first half mile of the course consists of an incline of 150 feet which then reaches a level stretch, before a steep swooping decline around Tattenham Corner.
Epsom’s straight five-furlong course is a real test for any sprinter who possesses natural speed.
Running downhill all the way means the gallopers have to maintain their balance and their racing line to be successful.
Famous Epsom Races
Epsom has a crowd capacity of around 120,000 and is totally packed out for the Derby and the Oaks.
The Derby is the UK’s premier horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies over a distance of a mile and a half.
Many great horses have won the Derby down the years and no Derby winner is ever forgotten, only revered for years to come.
Conversely the Oaks is strictly for three-year-old fillies only and forms the middle leg of the Fillies’ ‘Triple Crown’, which also comprises of the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Doncaster St Leger.
Not to be outshone, the Coronation Cup is also a prestigious Group 1 flat that takes place at Epsom each year in the month of June. It is open to all horses aged four years or older and is run over 1 mile and 4 furlongs.
Betting on the Epsom races betting odds each season is quite popular, but not nearly as much as the wagering on the Cheltenham races betting odds.
Epsom Draw Bias
There isn’t really much of a draw bias over the 5f sprint course but there is over the 6f and 7f trips.
Front-runners drawn low have an advantage on all ground types except on soft, when the fields usually come over to the stand rail.
On those occasions when the ground is soft, to grab the stand side rail you need to be leading coming round Tattenham Corner. Therefore front-runners hold a massive advantage.
It is widely accepted amongst trainers and jockeys that the surface at Epsom is very similar to the polytrack, so horses with decent form on the all-weather often transfer it over to a good showing at Epsom and vice-versa.
These are all facts worth remembering when placing your horse race bets online.
Getting to Epsom Racecourse
Situated less than 20 miles south of London, Epsom is very easy to get to. By rail, make your way to Tattenham Corner station as it is within walking distance of the main grandstands.
Buses also connect with Epsom town centre while car travellers can expect a journey of less than two miles from exiting the M25 motorway.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
