Epsom Derby Festival

Friday 4th & Saturday 5th June 2010

The greatest flat race in the world, the Investec Epsom Derby Festival got underway again in June. With winnings of £1.25m, the Investec Epsom Derby has the biggest prize money in UK racing, matched only by the prestige that victory brings. It remains the race that everyone wants to win, as horses and riders push themselves to the limit around the unique and challenging course.

The Epsom Derby itself boasts an unrivalled roll of honour, from legendary names such as Seabird, Nijinsky, Mill Reef and Shergar, right up to 2009 hero Sea The Stars, the best horse in the world last year. With approximately 30 minutes between each race, the afternoon is pitched at the perfect tempo, so you and your guests can relax and mingle, while sampling top class sporting action that the Epsom Derby Festival has to offer.

Hospitalityfinder welcomed a swathe of clients to our stunning corporate hospitality facility for another taste of sublime hospitality, sumptuous food and fantastic racing action. Located on the final furlong of the Tattenham Straight just yards from the finishing post, this modern facility provides guests with the perfect platform to see all the spectacular action at the sharp end of every race.

Friday at the Investec Epsom Derby Festival is traditionally Ladies Day and is an opportunity for all guests to turn out in their finest for this record breaking annual celebration of racing that sets the Epsom Derby apart from the other events on the racing calendar. Guests arrive at the Epsom Derby Hospitality suite in the morning for a Pimms reception on the balcony in the summer sunshine ahead of the day’s racing.

The main race on Ladies Day at the Epsom Derby Festival was The Oaks, which thrilled the rapturous crowds as Ryan Moore swept away the competition to claim his first win of the Festival on Snow Fairy.

Saturday at Epsom is Derby Day, which culminates in undoubtedly the highlight of the entire festival, the Investec Epsom Derby. This year the crowds were heaving once more ahead of the biggest flat race in the world. Having been enjoying the complimentary bar in the glorious midsummer sunshine, guests took their seats for a sublime gourmet three course luncheon.

The vibrant atmosphere on the Epsom Downs racecourse was plain to see, with the jubilant race goers backing any last minute potential winners at the tote betting stand inside the facility ahead of the big race. Guests then took their drinks out to the suite balcony for the main event as the runners and riders lined up for the start of Derby Day's world famous Epsom Derby, with the excitement trackside palpable.

Shortly after they set off, At First Sight set off as the early pace-setter, with the chasing pack not far behind him. None of the other runners seemed to want to give chase and as they raced down the hill and around Tattenham corner, the 100-1 outsider stretched his lead out to eight lengths. The roar of the crowd spurred on the chasing pack and Workforce broke free to hunt down At First Sight. The gap was rapidly closing into the final furlong as the outsider’s pace dropped away, allowing Workforce to edge into the lead and eventually coming home to the roars of the festival crowd and win the Epsom Derby in sensational style, breaking the track record and clinching a remarkable Classic double for champion jockey Ryan Moore in the process.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt was prominent in the Derby market before he had even hit the track as a three-year-old, a testament to the remarkably high opinion connections had of this precocious animal. Stoute, who held Workforce in such high esteem before the Derby, was justifiably delighted with the vindicating performance describing Workforce as "seriously good today. That could be one of the great performances."

Delighted Epsom Derby Hospitality guests celebrated their winners on the trackside balcony and at the complimentary bar late into the day, eventually leaving with another one of Hospitalityfinder's exceptional corporate events under their belts.

Why not join us in 2011 and enjoy a fantastic Epsom Derby Hospitality day at the Epsom Downs racecourse, where passion meets fashion for the biggest flat race in the world.

Click here to see our Official Epsom Derby Corporate Hospitality Packages for the upcoming Epsom Derby Festival.