| Venue: Epsom Racecourse Dates: 2-3 June |
| Coverage: Listen to race commentary on the Oaks at 16:30 BST on Friday and the Derby at 13:30 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live. |
The 2023 Derby Festival takes place from 2-3 June with the 244th Derby on Saturday, 3 June at 13:30 BST.
The Classic race is run at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards and was won by Richard Kingscote on Desert Crown in 2022.
There will be live radio coverage of the Derby on BBC Radio 5 Live.
What are racing’s Classics?
One of the highlights of the Flat racing calendar, the Derby Festival features two of the five British Classic races, with the Oaks taking place on the opening day at 16:30 (radio commentary on Radio 5 Live).
The first two Classics of the season, the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, took place in May, while the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster will be run in September.
Full race schedule and BBC coverage (all times BST)
Friday, 2 June – Ladies’ Day
BBC coverage: Live commentary of the Oaks on BBC Radio 5 Live
14:00: British EBF 40th Anniversary Woodcote Stakes – 6F
14:35: Racehorse Lotto Handicap Stakes – 1M 113Y
15:10: Dahlbury Coronation Cup (Group 1) – 1M 4F
15:45: Betfred Handicap Stakes – 1M 2F
16:30: Betfred Oaks (Group 1) – 1M 4F
17:15: Nyetimber Surrey Stakes – 7F
17:50: Winners Wear Cavani Handicap Stakes – 7F
Saturday, 3 June – Derby Day
BBC coverage: Live commentary of the Derby on BBC Radio 5 Live
12:50: Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3) – 1M 113Y
13:30: Betfred Derby (Group 1) – 1M 4Y
14:10: Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3) – 1M 113Y
14:45: Aston Martin 3 Year Old ‘Dash’ Handicap Stakes – 5F
15:20: Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap Stakes – 5F
15:55: Betfred Lestor Piggott Handicap Stakes – 1M 2F
16:30: Rio Ferdinand Foundation Northern Dancer Handicap Stakes – 1M 4F
17:05: JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap Stakes – 6F
What about any possible animal rights protests?
The Jockey Club has applied for a High Court injunction to prevent animal rights protestors disrupting the festival.
The racecourse owner says the Animal Rising group has made it “explicitly clear” it intends to breach security.
The injunction would prohibit individuals from entering the track and disrupting races.
In April, animal rights activists delayed the start of the Grand National by getting on to the track at Aintree.
